A Cornwall-based artist has achieved back-to-back success at prestigious art competitions, winning her second major award with a vibrant painting of a nighttime amusement arcade scene. Diane Griffiths from Newquay claimed the People's Choice Award at the SAA (Supporting All Artists) Artists of the Year 2025 event for her work titled "Insert Coin To Begin," which depicts the local Playland Amusements arcade on Cliff Road.
This latest victory follows Griffiths' 2024 triumph when she won The People's Choice Award as part of the British Art Prize for "Driving Home," a moody painting of a Texaco gas station at night in Newquay. Both works showcase her distinctive style of capturing nocturnal urban scenes with remarkable detail and atmospheric lighting. Her 2024 winning piece was also featured in Artists & Illustrators magazine, bringing her work to national attention.
Judges praised "Insert Coin To Begin" for its "playful chaos" and described it as "a celebration of tacky brilliance, small thrills, satisfying comfort food and the holiday nostalgia of an evening wandering through a seaside town." The painting captures the neon-lit energy and bustling atmosphere of the popular Newquay arcade, transforming what might be considered an ordinary scene into a work of art that resonates with viewers' memories of seaside holidays.
Griffiths expressed overwhelming joy at her repeat success, stating: "I don't have words, it's absolutely amazing to do it a second year and have another award, it's outstanding." She emphasized the importance of community support, adding: "It's great to have so much support, local support as well, so thank you to everyone who voted." The People's Choice Award is determined by public voting, making the recognition particularly meaningful as it reflects genuine popular appreciation for her work.
The artist revealed that winning these consecutive awards serves as crucial validation for her artistic direction. "It's such a validation, all artists require constant validation and reassurance, so it was an amazing boost," she explained. "It's a validation that what I'm doing is good, and people like it, and I'm going in the right direction." Her success demonstrates how artists can find inspiration in everyday urban landscapes, transforming familiar local scenes into compelling works of art that capture both the visual appeal and emotional resonance of contemporary British seaside culture.
