North East art gallery draws up the shortlist for its first portrait prize
The Biscuit Factory art gallery in the Ouseburn Valley unveils the shortlist
The Biscuit Factory art gallery in the Ouseburn Valley unveils the shortlist for its Open Contemporary Portrait Award in an exhibition that opens later this month.
The new show, hosted in association with the gallery’s charitable arm, The Biscuit Factory Foundation, features the work of 23 UK-based artists, shortlisted from more than 500 entrants.
The shortlisted entries in the new show have been judged by a panel of experts, including 2014 BP Portrait Award second prize winner, Richard Twose. The overall winner will receive a cash prize of £1000, plus the opportunity for a solo show at The Biscuit Factory later this year. The public can also vote for their People’s Choice Winner, who will be awarded £250.
The exhibition opens on Saturday 23 April with a special launch event between 12pm and 3pm, offering visitors a first-look at the artwork, as well as the chance to meet gallery staff and enjoy complimentary drinks.
All of the artwork in the exhibition will be available to buy, with 10 per cent of proceeds going back to The Biscuit Factory Foundation to contribute towards the facilitation of future projects in the region.
Rachel Brown, General Manager of The Biscuit Factory says:
“We were really impressed with the entries that were submitted into this; our very first Open Contemporary Portrait Award. Our panel - which includes the critically acclaimed portrait artist Richard Twose - shortlisted just 23 artists to create, what we think, will be a scintillating and dynamic collection of work.
We’ll be revealing the winners at the launch of the gallery’s summer exhibition on 3 June, but until then we encourage visitors to come along and cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award. We can’t wait to see which artworks will prove popular with the North East public.”
The Open Contemporary Portrait Award exhibition opens on Saturday 23 April and runs until 12 June 2016. For more information, please visit The Biscuit Factory website at www.thebiscuitfactory.com.