Organised by Curious Duke Gallery — founded by Eleni Duke — the Secret Art Prize champions emerging talent in drawing, painting, print making, mixed media, and photography. Past editions have drawn over 130 applicants and delivered cash awards, exhibition space at Moniker Art Fair, full gallery representation, and artist profiles in After Nyne Magazine. Learn more about the prize →

The Secret Art Prize exists to uncover work that might otherwise remain hidden — pieces shaped by strange and beautiful imaginations that defy convention. It is not a competition for the obvious or the mainstream, but a deliberate search for urban, surreal, and contemporary voices ready to step into a wider spotlight. Every year, the prize opens its doors to artists who push boundaries in drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media, and photography, offering them a rare chance to be seen by an audience that genuinely values the unexpected.

At the heart of the prize sits Curious Duke Gallery, founded by Eleni Duke with a clear mission: to champion emerging talent at the crucial early stages of a creative career. The gallery has long been associated with urban and contemporary art scenes, and the prize extends that ethos into a structured platform. Winners do not simply receive a cheque — they gain meaningful exposure through exhibition space, gallery representation, mentoring, and published profiles that reach collectors, curators, and fellow artists across London and beyond.

Past editions of the prize have drawn a wide and competitive field of applicants, each bringing a distinct visual language to the table. Entries range from intricate hand-drawn narratives and layered mixed-media compositions to photographic series that explore the surreal edges of everyday life. The selection process involves a panel of judges drawn from different corners of the art world, ensuring that winning works are assessed not by a single perspective but through a collective, informed conversation about what makes an image truly resonate.

The prize offers more than a moment of recognition. Alongside a cash award, successful artists have been given space at Moniker Art Fair, one of the key events in the urban and contemporary art calendar. Full gallery representation through Curious Duke Gallery follows for the winner, while runners-up and shortlisted artists often find their work profiled in After Nyne Magazine, gaining visibility that extends far beyond the initial announcement and into the ongoing narrative of their practice.

Applying to the Secret Art Prize is designed to be straightforward and accessible. Artists are invited to upload images of their work along with a short statement, allowing the judging panel to see not only the finished piece but also the thinking behind it. There are no restrictive themes or narrow briefs — the prize actively welcomes diversity of approach, from quiet minimal drawings to loud, layered canvases, trusting that strangeness and beauty can take many forms.

The public also plays a role in the prize's journey. Once the shortlist is announced, an audience vote opens, giving art lovers and followers the chance to engage directly with the work and support the artists who speak to them most. This democratic layer sits alongside the expert panel's deliberations, creating a hybrid model where professional judgment and public instinct both carry weight in shaping the final outcome.

Winning the Secret Art Prize can mark a turning point in an artist's trajectory. Beyond the immediate benefits of exhibition and representation, the prize connects emerging creators with a network of gallerists, publishers, collectors, and fellow practitioners. The mentoring element is especially valuable, offering guidance on everything from portfolio development to navigating the commercial gallery world — support that continues well after the award itself has been conferred.

The ethos of the prize is rooted in curiosity — a belief that the most compelling art often comes from the margins and that audiences are hungry for work that surprises them. There is no formula for what makes a successful entry, and the prize has historically celebrated pieces that sit uncomfortably between categories, that mix media in unexpected ways, or that draw on urban culture, surreal imagery, and personal mythology to build something genuinely new.

Behind the scenes, a dedicated team works to keep the prize running smoothly year after year, handling applications, coordinating the judging panel, and organising the exhibition logistics that bring shortlisted work into physical space. The prize has grown steadily since its inception, building a reputation as a trusted launchpad for artists who might otherwise struggle to find representation — and as a destination for audiences eager to discover the next wave of contemporary visual talent.