NHS Lothian Charity: Tonic Arts Purchase Prize Winner Announced

We are delighted to announce the winner of this year’s Tonic Arts Purchase Prize, awarded at the prestigious Royal Scottish Academy’s (RSA) New Contemporaries 2025 exhibition. The exhibition, showcasing the best of Scotland’s emerging artistic talent, features 63 artists and architects selected from the 2024 degree shows.

Our 2025 Purchase Prize has been awarded to artist, Tallulah Batley, for her captivating “Pink Parlour Prints Series”. The purchase includes five works from the series, which celebrate the portrayals of women found in National Galleries of Scotland’s collection and were developed from Tallulah’s degree show installation at Edinburgh College of Art in 2024.

Upon receiving the award, Tallulah commented:

I am so delighted to have received this award, and that these artworks will be displayed in local hospitals. I’m especially glad that the works will stay in Edinburgh, as the majority of the portraits that I used as references for my work were taken from the National Gallery’s collection, so they are celebrating the historic artistic culture of the city. William Morris said, “Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful” and I extend that philosophy to public spaces too. These works developed from my love of highly decorated objects and decor, bright patterns and colours, and the joy and energy that I feel when looking at beautiful things. I hope that having these works displayed in local hospitals will help to bring the same joy and pleasure that I was inspired by to the patients, visitors, and staff, in what can often be a stressful, trying or monotonous experience.”

Susan Grant, Tonic Arts Manager, commented:

We are thrilled to award this year’s Tonic Arts Purchase Prize to Tallulah Batley. Her ‘Pink Parlour Prints Series’ is a striking and thoughtful addition to our collection, enriching its diversity with a range of styles and subjects. This prize not only supports a talented emerging artist but also helps us continue to bring engaging and diverse artwork to our healthcare spaces for the benefit of everyone who uses them. We are looking forward to displaying these exceptional works for others to enjoy.”

The RSA New Contemporaries 2025 exhibition continues to run at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh, showcasing the exciting future of Scottish art and architecture.

Image of artist Tallulah Batley, RSA New Contemporaries by photographer Julie Howden