The Artist Space Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of the second Still Life online Art Exhibition. Along with the selected artists, the jury selected award winners in the following art categories: painting, drawing and photography. The show displayed a variety of artistic styles and mediums: oil on canvas, acrylic, ballpoint pen, watercolor, pastel, photography and digital. Out of all submissions received 40 artworks were selected to be included in the exhibition.
Best of Show
Emily Hutton
Short Biography and Statement
I paint everyday, often overlooked objects, aiming to reframe the ordinary in a way that feels fresh and engaging. By isolating and elevating these familiar forms, I hope to invite viewers to slow down and consider their visual potential. My work focuses on capturing a moment in time, using bold colour, tonal depth, and composition to create a sense of movement and visual tension. I draw inspiration from the dramatic use of light and shadow in 17th-century Baroque painting, reinterpreting that tradition through a contemporary lens. Ultimately, my goal is to reimagine the still life; exploring new ways to express light, darkness, and the quiet drama found in the everyday.
Painting Prize
Dan Simoneau
Short Biography and Statement
Dan Simoneau is an award-winning contemporary realist painter known for his mastery of acrylics, watercolors, and oils. With decades of experience, his work explores the interplay of light and form, particularly through figurative and portrait compositions. He is a signature member of multiple prestigious art societies and has exhibited internationally. Based in Kenosha, WI, Dan continues to refine his craft, capturing the emotional depth of his subjects with striking precision. Artist Statement My art is a study of light and its ability to transform the human form and everyday objects into moments of emotional resonance. Through careful composition and technical precision, I strive to convey the quiet narratives within my subjects, inviting viewers to see beyond the surface. Whether in figurative, still life, or landscape works, my goal is to create images that connect deeply with the observer, evoking reflection and appreciation for the beauty in simplicity.
Drawing Prize
Marco Crocchianti
Short Biography and Statement
Marco Crocchianti was born in 1978 in Siena, Tuscany. He studied painting at the the Art Institute of Siena (1993-98) and the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence (1998-2002). Trained as a painter he now works primarily in drawing. His interests include domestic interiors, landscapes, portraits, and still life. Since he moved to Brooklyn in 2008 much of his work has been commissioned by private collectors. He has participated in Bushwick Open Studios and worked as an assistant for artist Per Barclay. Most recently he was artist in residence at Keystone College in La Plume, PA. Last show, with Headstone Gallery, Kingston, April 5-27 2025
Photography Prize
Michael Eckart
Short Biography and Statement
Michael Eckart was born in West Germany after the Second World War. He has spent significant time in Japan, Bali, and other parts of Asia, but Venice now feels like home. From a young age, he aspired to be a photographer or designer, always drawn to creativity. However, these passions did not take center stage in his career until much later. In the 1960s, he began designing window displays and creating objects for visual merchandising. During this time, MoMA requested some of his designs for an exhibition on contemporary design in New York. His work evolved into successful residential and commercial interior projects, for which he also designed and crafted furniture until the mid-1980s. By the late 1980s, the scale of his creations changed as he transitioned into jewelry design, working with materials such as buffalo horn, bone, and especially sterling silver. From 2004 to 2006, he exhibited his jewelry in Paris, where he was awarded the Étoiles de Mode for Best Design three consecutive times. His jewelry gained widespread recognition, with features in prestigious publications such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, and others. In 2016, his son gifted him an old camera, reigniting his passion for photography. In 2024, he entered his first photography competition and achieved success. March 2024– April 2025 • 2× Gold, 4× Silver, and Bronze awards in competitions including London Photography Awards, MUSE Photography Awards, and Tokyo Foto Awards. • Featured in 15+ exhibitions worldwide (Decagon Gallery NYC, Carlotta Gallery London, Trieste Photo Days). • Finalist in 10+ competitions (Shoot the Frame, Urban Photo Awards) with honorable mentions at European Photography Awards. • Selected for the next round in AAP Magazine (Issues #39–46). • UN-affiliated 34 Gallery’s Open Call Win (2025), showcasing photography with social impact.
Winners