BP Portrait Awards 2017 shortlisting
Its always been a life goal of mine and ambition to get into the BP Portrait Awards in the National Gallery of London. This year I was notified by the BP Portrait Awards that I was successful making it through to the second round of judging which will dictate whether my painting will be going on exhibit in the National Gallery of London.
Pic above:My painting ready to be shipped off to the National Portrait Gallery for final judging.
Over the years I have admired so many artists Like Alan Coulson, Andrew Tift, David Jon Kassan and many others who have all exhibited in this show.Shana Levenson is an artist from New Mexico in the United States who is also through to the second round who produces fantastic portrait paintings on a world class level so in regards of competition, getting through to the final is fiercley tight to say the least.
Its a surreal feeling to think that all the Artists who I have looked up to over the years, that I may have an opportunity to exhibit alongside them in one of the biggest contemporary portrait shows in the world. I find out on the 16th March 2017 whether or not I have secured a space in one of the most sought after shows where Artists worldwide dream of getting into this exhibition displaying their work. Either way I am extremely excited and proud to have even made it to this stage.
Here is an insight into last years show
The BP Portrait Award 2016 received 2,557 entries from 80 countries. Judged anonymously, 53 portraits were selected for the exhibition. The BP Portrait Prize exhibition, a free show is always one of the gallery’s most popular events, last year attracting 329,556 visitors.
The prize is controversial because of its continued sponsorship by BP. The oil company is signed up until 2017, part of a £10m five-year sponsorship agreement with Tate Britain, the NPG, the Royal Opera House and the British Museum.The NPG’s director, Dr Nicholas Cullinan, who was chairing the judges for the first time, said it had been fascinating to see such a range of portraits from artists around the world.
Here is a list of the 2016 judges:
Nicholas Cullinan, Director, National Portrait Gallery (Chair)
Christopher Baker, Director, Scottish National Portrait Gallery
Alan Hollinghurst, Writer
Sarah Howgate, Contemporary Curator, National Portrait Gallery
Jenny Saville, Artist
Des Violaris, Director, UK Arts & Culture, BP
Here are some links to find out more about the BP Portrait Awards.
http://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/bp-portrait-award-2017/exhibition/
http://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/bp-portrait-award-2017/exhibition/past-winners