Annual Winners 2020

The John Byrne Award winners are chosen from all entries received throughout the competition year. We seek work that is reasoned, constructive and compelling, according to The John Byrne Award’s judging criteria.

We are honoured to announce The John Byrne 2020 award winners below.

The John Byrne Award 2020
Digital image , Drawing , Experimental , Image

How do we perceive borders, their notions and effects, in today’s world?

Abriele Skaite, 25 | Thanos Kyratzis, 24
The John Byrne Award for Positivity
Documentary , Film

What traces of ourselves do we leave behind?

Stuart Edwards
Joint Winner of The John Byrne Award for Critical Thinking
Film , Performance , Poetry , Spoken word

At what cost to both the individual and the collective, do we demand that women artists and writers perform their trauma for social and political change?

Jenny Lindsay, 38 | Perry Jonsson, 28 | Biff Smith, 47 | Kevin McLean, 31
Joint Winner of The John Byrne Award for Critical Thinking
Installation

Scottish Forestry: Has profit trumped biodiversity?

Harmony Bury
The John Byrne Award for Skill and Artistry
Craft , Installation , Painting

Are pills for ills, or ills for pills?

Pinkie Maclure
The John Byrne Award for Community and Society
Short story

Is my broken finger the same as your broken leg?

Natalie Arle-Toyne
The John Byrne Award for Innovation
Documentary , Film , Interview

I agree, we agree, but do they?

Callum Boath
The John Byrne Award for a Connection to Something Greater
Film , Poetry

Out of the womb and into a prison?

Sean Lìonadh