An artist from Newquay, Cornwall, has achieved remarkable success by winning her second consecutive prestigious art award, this time for a vibrant painting depicting a local amusement arcade at night. Diane Griffiths claimed the People's Choice Award at the SAA (Supporting All Artists) Artists of the Year 2025 event with her work titled "Insert Coin To Begin," which captures the colorful chaos of Playland Amusements on Cliff Road in Newquay.
This latest victory follows Griffiths' previous triumph in 2024, when she won a prestigious art award for "Driving Home," a moody nighttime painting of a Texaco gas station, also located in Newquay. That earlier work earned her The People's Choice Award 2024 as part of the British Art Prize and was featured in Artists & Illustrators magazine. The back-to-back wins have established Griffiths as a notable voice in contemporary British art, particularly for her distinctive focus on nocturnal urban and commercial landscapes.
"Insert Coin To Begin" received enthusiastic praise from judges, who described it as "a celebration of tacky brilliance." They elaborated that "this painting is a celebration of tacky brilliance, small thrills, satisfying comfort food and the holiday nostalgia of an evening wandering through a seaside town." The judges also commended the work for its "playful chaos," highlighting how Griffiths successfully captured the vibrant, somewhat garish energy that characterizes seaside amusement arcades.
Griffiths expressed overwhelming joy at her repeated success, stating that winning the 2025 award was "outstanding." She emphasized the personal significance of the recognition, saying, "I don't have words, it's absolutely amazing to do it a second year and have another award, it's outstanding." The artist also noted 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 artist reflected on the broader impact of these awards on her career and artistic confidence. "It's such a validation, all artists require constant validation and reassurance, so it was an amazing boost," Griffiths explained. She described the recognition as "validation that what I'm doing is good, and people like it, and I'm going in the right direction." This sentiment underscores the challenges artists face in pursuing their craft and the crucial role that public recognition plays in sustaining creative careers.
Both of Griffiths' award-winning works share a common theme of nighttime commercial scenes in her hometown of Newquay, suggesting a deliberate artistic focus on the overlooked beauty of everyday spaces after dark. Her ability to find artistic merit in seemingly mundane locations like gas stations and amusement arcades demonstrates a unique perspective that has clearly resonated with both judges and the voting public. The People's Choice Award format, which relies on public voting, indicates that Griffiths' work appeals not only to art critics but also to ordinary viewers who connect with her distinctive vision of contemporary British seaside life.
