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John Moores 25 Contemporary Painting PrizeCompetition shortlist announced
Forty works have been selected to go forward to the final stage of the competition, and will form the exhibition which opens on 20 September. The shortlisted entries demonstrate that far from being ‘old-fashioned’, an artist’s decision to paint is exciting and challenging. The paintings have absorbed the legacy of conceptual art and incorporated it into the work; they are not in opposition to it. The works, selected from a record 3,222 submissions, represent the best of the UK’s current and future painting talent. This year’s impressive selection ranges from portraiture, landscape and still lives to abstracts. The subject matter draws inspiration from the animal kingdom (Oportuno III by Georgia Hayes) to childhood experiences (The Baptism by Neil Rumming, who once witnessed a horrendous car crash and Nought Lovely but the sky and stars by Kit Poulson, who found what he thought was a UFO as a child). Woman surprised by a werewolf by Stuart Pearson Wright is inspired by the film An American Werewolf in London, whilst Cadet Congo Ganja by Tim Bailey draws from both Heart of Darkness and Apocalypse Now. The shortlist includes previous John Moores exhibitors and first time entrants. More information in the press release.
The competition and exhibitionFirst held in 1957, the John Moores Contemporary Painting Prize is the UK's best-known competition for painters, and is named after Sir John Moores (1896 - 1993), the founder of the competition. The exhibition is held every two years at the Walker Art Gallery in partnership with the John Moores Liverpool Exhibition Trust. This year the John Moores exhibition coincides with Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture 2008 when it forms a key strand of the well established Liverpool Biennial. The exhibition runs 20 September 2008 until 4 January 2009 The John Moores exhibition showcases the best new paintings produced in the UK today and attracts a broad spectrum of artists. No preference is given to levels of experience or particular practices of painting. The work is selected anonymously from an open submission by the jury, who also award the main prizes. There is a first prize of £25,000 along with four further prizes, each of £2,500. In addition, in celebration of Liverpool’s year as Capital of Culture, our popular visitors' choice prize is increased to £2,008. This prize will be announced towards the close of the exhibition. Entrants from the last competition said:"It is the premier painting competition in the UK" "Having been selected has already opened doors for me" "Highly regarded forum for emerging and established artists" “Most of the contemporary British artists I admire have been in a John Moores exhibition" “Widely regarded as the best showcase for British contemporary painting" Jury 2008
PrizesFirst prize £25,000
Further informationPrevious competitions and prizewinners Exhibition sponsors
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