BP portrait runners up

Something I have enjoyed using the blog for recently is as a kind of scrap book. It is a really useful compact tool which allows me to just look back on previous thoughts and inspirations.


So here we go again. As many of you will know I absolutely adoooore talking about all the news on the BP Portrait Award, and this year is no different. I feel a real change happening in the air. I'm so excited that art seems to be growing up and forgetting all this adolescent SHOCK ... (for want of a better word) crap. Just take a look at this years' shortlisted portraits.

'Just to Feel Normal'
by Ian Cumberland

'Holly'
by Louis Smith with help from Carmel Said

'Mrs Cerna'
by Sertan Saltan

'Distracted'
by Wim Heldens

The shortlisted paintings this year are so different from last years winner 'Last portrait of Mother' by Daphne Todd, which definitely had the shock factor. The portrait was of Todd's mother at the undertakers. Although it was meant to be unsettling, I found it was disrespectful and contrary to the notions of traditional portraiture. I am much more fond of the likes of 'Holly' by Louis Smith for its powerful lighting and exquisite painting. When I compare it to the work of other current contemporary artists such as Sebastian Schrader and Neo Rauch, I notice they all have similar roots within traditional, religious paintings.

In saying that I do feel that 'Holly' is moving away from the genre of portraiture and wonder, even although it is my personal favourite, whether it is the deserved winner of this award. The other shortlisted artists have produced much more simple compositions. I really couldn't predict who will win, but I am looking forward to finding out. I will certainly be making time to visit the National Portrait Gallery when I visit London in July.