The BP Portrait Award is one of the most prestigious portrait painting competitions in the world. It is held every two years by the National Portrait Gallery in London and attracts thousands of entries from all over the world. The award celebrates the best in contemporary portrait painting and has been running since 1991.
History
The BP Portrait Award was founded in 1991, with the aim of encouraging artists to focus on portraiture. The competition was initially sponsored by the British Petroleum Company (BP), and the first exhibition was held in 1993. Since then, the award has grown in popularity, and has become one of the most prestigious portrait painting competitions in the world.
Selection Process
The selection process for the BP Portrait Award is highly competitive. Each year, the National Portrait Gallery receives thousands of entries from all over the world. A panel of experts then selects the best works, which are displayed in an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.
The panel consists of five judges, including an artist, a curator, a critic, and two members of the public. The panel selects the best works based on a number of criteria, such as composition, technique, and originality.
Prizes
The winner of the BP Portrait Award receives a cash prize of £35,000. The runner-up receives £6,000, and the third-place winner receives £4,000. The remaining finalists also receive a cash prize of £2,000 each.
In addition to the cash prizes, the winner also receives a commission to paint a portrait for the National Portrait Gallery. The painting is then displayed in the BP Portrait Award exhibition.
Exhibition
The BP Portrait Award exhibition is held every two years at the National Portrait Gallery in London. The exhibition showcases the best in contemporary portrait painting and is open to the public. The exhibition usually runs for several months, and is a popular attraction for art lovers.
The exhibition also includes the winner’s portrait painting, as well as works from the other finalists. The exhibition provides a great opportunity for artists to showcase their work and gain recognition.
Conclusion
The BP Portrait Award is one of the most prestigious portrait painting competitions in the world. The competition celebrates the best in contemporary portrait painting and provides a great opportunity for artists to gain recognition. The winner of the award receives a cash prize, as well as a commission to paint a portrait for the National Portrait Gallery.