From 55 exhibiting artists, just two have been shortlisted for this year’s BP Portrait Award – both for works that draw on family connections. John Devane‘s work The Uncertain Time records how his three children are emerging into adulthood (the work was painted over a three-year period) while Susanne du Toit‘s Pieter is a portrait of her 35-year-old son and part of a series of works featuring family members.
Hosted by The National Portrait Gallery, the award now boasts a £30,000 First Prize (up by £5,000 on previous years) and the winner will also receive a commission worth an additional £5,000. The increase in prize money coincides with a smaller shortlisting – in previous years four artists have been shortlisted for the prize. The competition received 1,969 entries from 77 different countries.
The Second Prize winner will receive £10,000, while other awards include The BP Young Artist Award of £7,000, presented to an artist aged between 18 and 30, and the £6,000 BP Travel Award 2013. Works by 2012 Travel Award winner Carl Randall will be presented alongside the BP Portrait Award 2013 exhibition.
This year’s panel of judges is: Sandy Nairne (Chair), Director, National Portrait Gallery, London; David Dawson, painter and photographer; Sarah Howgate, Contemporary Curator, National Portrait Gallery, London; Victoria Pomery OBE, Director, Turner Contemporary; Ali Smith, writer; and Des Violaris, Director UK Arts & Culture, BP.
Prize winners will be announced at an opening ceremony on 18 June.
BP Portrait Award 2013, National Portrait Gallery, London, 20 June – 15 September 2013. The exhibition will then tour to Aberdeen Art Gallery (2 November 2013 – 1 February 2014) and Wolverhampton Art Gallery (3 March – 14th June 2014).
More on a-n.co.uk:
Competitions on Jobs and opps.
Prizes and awards in Knowledge bank.
