The Toni Beauchamp Prize in Critical Art Writing

Gulf Coast is proud to announce the winner of the 2024 Toni Beauchamp Prize in Critical Art Writing, Diana Seo Hyung Lee, for their essay “The Elemental in the Art of Jesse Chun."

In its eighth year, the Toni Beauchamp Prize seeks to support young and mid-career art writers who combine scholarship and journalism, a unique voice, and literary excellence.

The two runners up include “Endurance at an Angle: On Martin Puryear” by Zoe Hopkins and “Frozen Time” by Jenny Wu

Leslie Moody Castro, on the winner:  
"The Elemental in the Art of Jesse Chun" analyzes the work of Jesse Chun through an art historical lens, one of the complication of language, through the complexity of mixed-race lived experience, and a personal narrative that offers the reader an empathetic entry point. This piece blends beautiful writing and prose and proves that critical art writing can, indeed be accessible to a wide range of readers. I enjoyed every single read of the text and appreciate the writer’s thoughtful style. 

Thanks to everyone who entered the 2024 Toni Beauchamp Prize. The winning essays will be printed in the upcoming Spring 2025 issue of Gulf Coast, and online. 

Toni Beauchamp was the board president of Art Lies from 2002-2004 and a lifelong supporter of the arts in Houston and Texas. Her legacy is one of generosity, civic engagement, and championing cultural causes. This prize is dedicated in her honor with the commitment to continuing to write, think, and talk about art.

Leslie Moody Castro

Leslie Moody Castro