Success for MA graduate in international book launch competition
Dawn Christien, MA Fine Art, was selected by author and art historian James Cahill and CBE British artist Maggi Hambling as the standout winner of the book launch competition for debut novel Tiepolo Blue.
In tandem with the release of Tiepolo Blue by art historian James Cahill, artists around the globe were asked to engage with the novel in a competition celebrating the book’s launch.
Artists were required to create original artworks responding to the subject matters and themes within the novel, with the winner receiving prize money and the opportunity to exhibit in London and across the UK as part of the launch of the book.
MA Fine Art graduate Dawn Christien won the competition with her fresco panel painting “Allegory for The Waterboys”, which was selected by the author and renowned CBE British artist Maggie Hambling as a “clear standout”.
“Encouragement from tutors led me to enter the Tiepolo Blue competition. As a sculptor, entering a 2D-only competition was a challenge, however innovation is now so prevalent in my practice that I submitted a highly textured fresco panel, somewhat blurring the lines between painting and sculpture.”
About the book
Tiepolo Blue, released in June 2022 by international publisher Sceptre, follows the encounters of a revered Cambridge art historian navigating the highs and lows of an anarchic 1990s British art scene.
“The book’s subject matter really spoke to me; a complex riff on the Icarus tale, which I reimagined through colour and suggested movement within textured plaster.”
Dawn’s work is now being exhibited at Red Lion Books in Colchester.
Explore MA Fine Art (opens in a new window)Related News
-
BA Games Art and Design •Norwich awarded Best Education Initiative at the TIGA UK Games Industry Awards
TIGA, who represent the UK video games industry, have recognised the University’s commitment to graduate success and industry-focused learning in their 2025 awards. -
BA Animation •Cutting edge Sony Virtual Production Studio puts Norwich on the map for the future of film and gaming
Norwich University of the Arts and Sony open new landmark facility for students, creators and the community. -
BA Animation •Norwich named top UK university for production excellence in visual effects
The University has been placed in three categories in the 2025 Rookies Global School Rankings, including the top five for Production Excellence – Visual Effects. -
BA Photography •Entries open for Norwich's 2026 Beyond the Frame photography competition
Entries are now open for our annual photography competition, open to students aged 11 to 19 around the world. -
BSc Degree •Norwich University welcomes new academics to its Psychology and Computer Science courses
Lyndsey Wallace joins the University as Senior Lecturer for BSc (Hons) Psychology, with Jawwad Chattha joining as Course Leader for BSc (Hons) Computer Science. -
BA Architecture •Norwich University of the Arts presents the Peter Cook: Wonder Hub
Norwich University has launched the Peter Cook: Wonder Hub, a vibrant and interactive space for thinking, making, showcasing and debating the creative arts. -
BA Graphic Communication •Norwich students celebrate success at 2025 Creative Conscience Awards
Students from Norwich University of the Arts have been recognised across categories in this year’s awards, which showcase work focusing on social or environmental impact -
BA Games Art and Design •Norwich graduates recognised at TIGA UK Games Education Awards
Charlie O'Shea, BA (Hons) Games Art and Design has been named 'Outstanding TIGA Graduate of the Year: Designer' -
BA Film and Moving Image Production •Dear future international students – Diya Vaya, BA (Hons) Film and Moving Image Production
Diya writes about the experience of moving to Norwich from Nairobi, and her advice to future international students. -
Course •Inside Interchange Week with Stokely Howard of Trendy Grandad
Stokely Howard, Co-Founder and Creative Director of video production company Trendy Grandad, shares his reflections on Norwich’s cross-course collaboration week. -
MA Communication Design •Norwich announces Sustainability Award winners at Postgrad Festival 2025
Norwich University of the Arts' Sustainability Awards celebrate students’ commitment to sustainable and ethical practice. -
Research •Shape Shift Converse Rework: Authentic co-creation of art in mental health settings
Exploring the story, impact and legacy of the Rivers Centre Project at Hellesdon Hospital. -
Institution •Norwich University of the Arts Makes Historic Debut in Main Guardian University Guide
Norwich University of the Arts has marked a historic milestone, with its first-ever appearance in the Guardian University Guide’s national rankings. -
BA Animation •Norwich University of the Arts celebrates becoming a Rookies Certified School
Norwich University of the Arts has been named as a Rookies Certified School. -
Institution •Norwich University of the Arts acquires Mechanism by artist Andrew Kearney
The kinetic installation, which transforms the sounds of Norwich into a daily light sequence, was commissioned in 2024 as a temporary intervention for the University’s historic Bank Plain building. -
Cost of living support •Cost of living Support Package 2025-26
We are proud of the measures we introduced over the last few years and want to continue many of them in 2025/26 to ensure this support remains in place.
Related courses
-
- Filter courses by study level: Postgraduate
- Filter courses by duration: Full time
- Filter courses by duration: Part time
- Filter courses by entry options: September 2026
- Filter courses by subject: Fine Art
Fine Art MA
Take your Fine Art practise to another level in a supportive environment that encourages artistic innovation, exploration and debate.
