THE WINNER of the prestigious Attenborough Award at this year’s Open exhibition has been announced.
Selected from more than 1,000 paintings, sculptures, prints and photographs, this year’s winning entry is a stunning drawing by Leicester-based amateur artist Simon Farrow.
Simon’s drawing of the city’s iconic Clock Tower – now on display at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery – was based on a photo he took in the summer of 2024.
Entitled Clock Tower: Heaven or Hell, the drawing features a street preacher in a high-vis jacket, with a placard behind him and passers-by all around.
Simon, who has entered the competition most years since 2015, was delighted to win a prize for the first time.
“I’ve drawn many areas of Leicester over the years, taking pictures to find new views, and I just thought this was a great image,” said Simon.
“I love the slightly grumpy passers-by, and the preacher man with his sign saying, ‘Heaven or Hell – the choice is yours’. The whole scene was bathed in the midday sun, highlighting the lovely Clock Tower.
“I’ve worked in design for the past 35 years and I’ve always enjoyed drawing. It’s a hobby and something I do to relax. But now I’ve won this award, I’m going to have to up my game for next year!”
The other winners of this year’s Open: The People’s Exhibition, which showcases artistic talent from across the East Midlands, are as follows:
- Leicester Museums & Galleries Development Trust award winner: Peter J Lester for Beacon Granite
- Art House award: Lisa Davies for Looming
- CVAN East Midlands award: Alexis Hutson for Daughter
- LCB Depot awards: Nneka Iwunna Ezemezue for Chinyere, Monet Shot for Ceramic Study #1, Bethan Hemus for Who’s In charge?
- Gallery (De Montfort University) award: David Rolls for 030 Red Sunset
- Leicester Print Workshop award: Bethan Hemus for IAMPARTOFALLIHAVEMET
- Phoenix award: Claire Jackson for Jeu de Paume
In the young people’s category, the Attenborough awards were presented to:
- (Age 16-18) Olivia Van Der Ende for a portrait: Grit
- (Age 11-15) William Addison-Smith for a 3D collection titled My family. As Slugs made from tin foil, polymer and acrylic paint
- (Age 5-10) Will Wright for Northern Lights
Leicester Museums & Galleries Development Trust awards went to:
- (Age 16-18) Kaif Shabir for Frozen in Wire
- (Age 10-15) Aashi Derashri for Still Life with Pink Flowers
- (Age 5-10) Finely Murphy-Evans for Wild Gaze
Other winners in the young people’s category were:
- Arch Creative award: Cherry Yuen for Nostalgic Wealth
- Art House award: Will Blakemore for Aramis
- Curve award: KFH for The Peacock
- De Montfort Hall award: Sophia Howson for Whale Echo
- Leicester Lo-Fi Photography award: Connie Bennett for The Hopeless Man
- Leicester Print Workshop award: Jemima Hungbeme for Irun Ori Mi
- Phoenix award: Lilia Chester for Connections
- Soft Touch Arts award: Ava Coulson for Swingin Around
All the winning entries, and hundreds more, are on display at The Open exhibition at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery until Friday 30 January 2026.
Admission is free of charge.
All the artworks in the adult category are available to buy, with prices starting at £50. Purchased pieces can be collected from the museum after the exhibition closes at the end of January.
Picture caption: Simon Farrow with his winning drawing