The New Art Gallery Walsall, in partnership with Coventry University, have announced a £71,226 grant through Jerwood Art Fund Commissions.

This funding will support British artist, Charmaine Watkiss, in creating an ambitious and epic new sculptural installation for her upcoming solo exhibition.

The installation will feature in a major solo exhibition by Watkiss entitled The Things We Hold Sacred, which will be on display from Friday 2 October 2026 to Sunday 11 April 2027. The exhibition will include a selection of both new and existing work by the artist. The new commission will be a lasting legacy and will enter Walsall’s permanent collection, the only sculptural installation by Watkiss within a UK collection.

As part of the project, Watkiss will be working as a resident artist at Coventry University’s Delia Derbyshire building. She will collaborate with the students from School of Arts and Creative Industries, utilising the institution’s modern and well-equipped departments focusing on ceramics, clay, metalworking, woodworking, fashion, 3D printing and modelling, photography and printmaking. Each department is supported by specialist staff. 

This generous funding from Art Fund and Jerwood Foundation will support Watkiss in developing a landmark sculptural installation. By partnering with Coventry University, she’ll gain access to expert resources and diverse materials. Once complete, this will be the artist’s only installation in a UK collection, preserved as a permanent legacy for the region.

Jerwood Art Fund Commissions offer a rare opportunity for an artist and museum to work together on a fully funded, ambitious commission. A partnership between Art Fund and Jerwood Foundation, the programme enables museums and galleries to collaborate with early- to mid-career artists on new work, covering the full costs of delivering and presenting commissions. The programme aims to further artists at pivotal stages in their careers, while enriching public collections through new contemporary art.

Stephen Snoddy, Director, The New Art Gallery Walsall said, "We are so grateful to Jerwood Foundation and Art Fund for facilitating this opportunity for Charmaine to create an ambitious new sculptural work for her major solo exhibition at the Gallery and for making it possible for this undoubtedly significant work to enter our Collections."

Dr Sam Vale, Curriculum Lead: Creative Practice at Coventry University, said, “This is an exceptional opportunity for our staff and students to work closely with The New Art Gallery and with such an innovative and exciting artist as Charmaine. Being actively involved in the commissioning process, from early development through to production and exhibition, our students gain valuable insight into contemporary approaches to making work, helping to prepare them future careers in the creative industries.”

Charmaine Watkiss, artist, said, "I am super excited and thankful for this opportunity to create ambitious works that would not be possible otherwise. I look forward to experimenting with new materials and utilizing the University's expertise to realise my ideas."

Jenny Waldman, Director, Art Fund, said, “Jerwood Art Fund Commissions offer a rare opportunity for museums to offer fully funded commissions to exciting artists for ambitious projects. With access to the facilities and expertise of Coventry University, Charmaine Watkiss will be able to develop her artistic practice at a key moment in her career. We look forward to audiences experiencing the work for themselves at The New Art Gallery Walsall later this year. We are delighted to help bring the first sculptural installation by the artist into a UK collection thanks to our partnership with Jerwood Foundation.”

Lara Wardle, Executive Director and Trustee, Jerwood Foundation, said, “I am delighted that Charmaine Watkiss has been awarded a Jerwood Art Fund Commission, which will enable her to realise an epic new sculptural installation. This unique partnership with Art Fund, now in its second year, continues to benefit our national collections and their visitors and underlines Jerwood Foundation’s long-standing commitment to excellence and emerging talent in the arts in the UK.”

This partnership offers students a rare, hands-on look at the professional commissioning process. Students will gain industry insight by assisting in the production of the work, with some receiving paid opportunities to help finalise the installation.

Image Credit: Charmaine Watkiss, The warrior embodies the healing forces of the divine, 2024, coffee, watercolour, pencil, colour pencil, graphite and ink on paper. Photo: David Rowan. © 2026 Charmaine Watkiss. All rights reserved, DACS