MA student named winner of Surrey Hills Emerging Art Prize

Broomsquire is a wood-and-willow sculpture constructed from hundreds of hand-painted willow rods. It combined the history of broom-making on the heath with Maddox’s love for sunsets over the Surrey Hills.

It is one of fifteen artworks located on Farnham Heath, created by craft, textile and fine art students as part of a Heathland Artworks commission. Other works include a hand-built entrance arch, ceramic sculptures, textiles in the trees and suspended large-scale hangings.

On winning the Prize, Maddox said: “Being given this award feels like a part of me was seen, in particular the part of me that comes to care about sculptures and installations, as though they have their own life that I am tending to, and the part that has absolutely fallen in love with and is inspired by the natural world that is right on our doorstep.”

Maddox hopes that viewers feel joy from her artwork, and are surprised by the colours, shape and unexpectedness of it among the ferns and trees. 

Ali Clarke, Programme Manager at Surrey Hills Arts, said: “Their idea was strong, linking to the site’s heritage. Maddox was selected not only for the stunning completed work, but for the quality behind the preparation and realisation.

“The artwork sits proudly amongst the bracken on the heath, drawing visitors to appreciate and understand the area’s broom-making heritage.”

Maddox, who is originally from the United States, studied painting growing up; her father was a painter and set designer.

“He taught me how to paint and how to build things that I dreamt up—a tradition I am hoping to continue,” explained Maddox. “My 4-year-old helped me pick the colours for this sculpture and helped me paint a few of the willow rods. Whenever I make something like this, my father feels like he is alongside me.”

Relocating from Germany for the MA Fine Art course, Maddox now lives in Binstead, just outside of Farnham.

“I came back to university because the things I wanted to make were becoming increasingly ambitious. I realised I needed to learn more about how to recreate these strange things in my mind in the real world,” they explained.

“I chose UCA Farnham because of the amazing workshops and technicians that students have access to. I also loved that the fine art department allows students to be interdisciplinary. I didn’t have to choose between printmaking and sculpture”.

And, as for the value of public arts, for Maddox it is the fact that public art is for everyone.

They added: "People’s lives are better with art in it. "With public artworks, there is no barrier or gatekeeping. No museum ticket, no security guard making sure you don’t touch it. It is art that people get to really live with."

Follow Maddox on Instagram @maddoxpratt

The Heathland Artworks trail is free and open till 31 October 2026. Visit the Surrey Hills Arts website for more information and to download the map.

To study at UCA, visit the course pages.