2nd International Original Print Exhibition (2022)

I went to see the International Original Print Exhibition 2022 at the Bankside Gallery on the South Bank on Tuesday. It finishes on Sunday 2nd October.

I can certainly highly recommend it as a diverse collection of original fine art prints which demonstrate the diversity in different approaches to print-making

The prints also varied between the very colourful and monochrome.

All the works exhibited are the result of an open submission exhibition established by the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers. The aim of the exhibition is to celebrate the best in all forms of contemporary printmaking.

These include

• aquatint etching
• chine collé
• copperplate engraving
• digital 
• drypoint
• etching
• giclee
• hand stencilled screenprint
• high relief carborundum
• intaglio gravure
• laser engraved woodcut
• linocut
• lithograph
• mezzotint
• mokuhanga (water-based woodblock)
• monotype
• photolithography
• photopolymer etching
• risograph
• screenprint
• silkscreen and woodcut
• soft ground
• solar etching
• stone lithography
• woodcut and stencil
• woodblock

and variations on the above.

It's also an exhibition with a wide variety of sponsors of both the exhibition and/or individual awards.

The overall bias of subject matter is either abstracted or landscape oriented with fewer images of people than you might expect. 

Portrait Artist of the Year (Series 9) starts 5th October 2022

I'm sure many of you will be delighted to hear that Series 9 of Portrait Artist of the Year (#PAOTY) starts on our screens - on the Sky Arts Channel (Channel 11 on Freeview) next week!

When to Watch

The first episode will be broadcast on Wednesday 5th October - when the celebrity sitters will be Elizabeth Day, Khadija Mellah and Nick Grimshaw.

The Sky TV link says the broadcast time is 3pm(!) - but I'm guessing either that's a mistake or it will have repeat broadcast times.

This is followed by six more heats - every Wednesday up until 16th November - giving us a total of seven artists for the semi-finals. I wonder if they'll have a wildcard. I've often thought that it's a great pity when a heat as two great artists but only one can go through.....

Then 

• the Semi Finals are on 23rd November
• The Finals are on 30th November
• The Commission Programme is on 7th December

As usual it will be hosted by Joan Bakewell and Stephen Mangan (below) and the Judges will be 

• award-winning portrait painter Tai Shan Schierenberg
• independent curator, art historian and arts broadcaster Kathleen Soriano
• arts broadcaster, curator, mentor and writer Kate Bryan

Watch out for my reviews

As usual, I'll be writing a review of the episode and publishing it within a couple of days of the broadcast - normally the next day.

You can read previous reviews at the bottom of this post. 

My reviews of each of the Heats cover:

• the artists - with links to their websites and social media
• the sitters
• themes from the episode
• reasons for shortlisting
• shortlisted artists
• who won
  

If you are a participating artist and want to make sure I've got your correct website URL and social media links please contact me via the email address on this page and tell me which heat you're in. (No timewasters please).

IF YOU LIKE 'MAKING A MARK' - WHY NOT SUBSCRIBE?

and get an email to your inbox every time I publish

I'm thinking of creating a checklist for myself from previous themes in previous years to see which are the most common!

I'm also looking out for those announcing their involved online - to give myself a head start on their profiles.

Reviews & Learning Points (PAOTY Series 5-8)

Series 8 of PORTRAIT ARTIST OF THE YEAR (Autumn 2021)

• Call for Entries: Portrait Artist of the Year 2021 (Season 8)
• Portrait Artist of the Year 2021 starts 13th October 2021
• How Portrait Artist of the Year actually works in practice
• Review: Episode 1 of Portrait Artist of the Year Series 8 (Autumn 2021)
• Review: Episode 2 of Portrait Artist of the Year Series 8 (Autumn 2021)
• Review: Episode 3 of Portrait Artist of the Year 2021 (Series 8)
• Review: Episode 4 of Portrait Artist of the Year 2021 (Series 8)
• Review: Episode 5 of Portrait Artist of the Year 2021 ( Series 8 )
• Review: Episode 6 of Portrait Artist of the Year 2021 (Series 8)
• Review: Series 8 Episode 7 of Portrait Artist of the Year 2021
• Review: Semi Finals of Portrait Artist of the Year (Series 8)
• Calum Stevenson wins Portrait Artist of the Year (Series 8 Autumn 2021)

Series 7 of PORTRAIT ARTIST OF THE YEAR (Autumn 2020)

• Review: Episode 1 of Portrait Artist of the Year Series 7
• Review: Episode 2 of Portrait Artist of the Year Series 7
• Review: Episode 3 of Portrait Artist of the Year Series 7
• Review: Episode 4 of Portrait Artist of the Year Series 7
• Review: Episode 5 of Portrait Artist of the Year Series 7
• Review: Episode 6 of Portrait Artist of the Year Series 7
• Review: Episode 7 of Portrait Artist of the Year Series 7
• Review: Episode 8 of Portrait Artist of the Year Series 7
• Review: Semi-Final of Portrait Artist of the Year - Autumn 2020
• Curtis Holder wins Portrait Artist of the Year (Series 7 Autumn 2020)
• PAOTY Commission: Curtis Holder draws Carlos Acosta

Series 6 of PORTRAIT ARTIST OF THE YEAR (Winter/Spring 2019)

• Review: Episode 1 of Portrait Artist of the Year 2019
• Review: Episode 2 of Portrait Artist of the Year 2019
• Review: Episode 3 of Portrait Artist of the Year 2019
• Review: Episode 4 of Portrait Artist of the Year 2019
• Review: Episode 5 of Portrait Artist of the Year 2019
• Review: Episode 6 of Portrait Artist of the Year 2019
• Review: Episode 7 of Portrait Artist of the Year 2019
• Review: Episode 8 of Portrait Artist of the Year 2019
• Review: Semi-Final of Portrait Artist of the Year 2019
• Duncan Shoosmith is Portrait Artist of the Year 2019
• Portrait Artist of the Year: 2019 Exhibition Tour

Series 5 of PORTRAIT ARTIST OF THE YEAR (Winter / Spring 2018)

• Review: Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year 2018 - Episode 1
• Review: Episode 2 of Portrait Artist of the Year 2018
• Review: Episode 3 of Portrait Artist of the Year 2018 (now updated with the interview with the winner)
• Review: Episode 4 of Portrait Artist of the Year 2018
• Review: Episode 5 of Portrait Artist of the Year 2018
• Review: Episode 6 of Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year 2018
• Review: Episode 7 of Portrait Artist of the Year 2018
• Review: Semi Finals of Portrait Artist of the Year 2018
• Review: The Final of Portrait Artist of the Year 2018

Series 4 of PORTRAIT ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Gareth Reid is Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year 2017

Review: Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition 2022

It's always struck me that Annual OPEN Exhibition of the Royal Society of Marine Artists at the Mall Galleries offers more opportunities for entries from a wider range of artists than some might think.

It was therefore very pleasing to see both new names of exhibiting artists and some innovation at this year's exhibition (see end for details of where and when to see it). Interestingly I think the Mall Galleries is going to need to add some new categories into its 'buy art' section of the website to reflect this (e.g. Textile Art!)

The exhibition this year includes artwork by six new Associate Members.

This year I'm writing my review of the exhibition for those who might think about entering it next year. Thus there's rather more detailed commentary on subject and media than usual.

RSMA Annual Exhibition 2022: View of the Mall Wall in the West Gallery

General observations about the exhibition are:

• it appears to be attracting a good number of visitors - based on the numbers I saw on Friday morning (i.e. not the PV and the day after it opened to the public)
• it includes some excellent artwork by artists selected via the open entry - including three large artworks near the stairs

Three large and impactful artworks by open artists

• the range of media included is more diverse than before - some would say (i.e. me) TOO diverse (see below under fine art prints)
• I also think I saw more innovative artwork than I've seen in previous exhibitions. Generally it seems to be less about boats and more about other marine topics.
• There appear to be rather fewer paintings of more traditional/historical ships than I've seen in the past. I know there's a big (male) fan base for these paintings but they've never much appealed much to me. 
• There's still a tendency to include an awful lot of grey - whether that's in the artwork or on the frame. I do sometimes wonder about the obsession with grey - which I don't see in great marine painting by well known marine artists in art history. It's almost as if some marine artists are afraid to look and/or use colour. (PS The interior decorating obsession with grey is over!) 
• What happens when there is too much grey is our eyes are drawn to the colour

End wall, West Gallery

• this is why colourful paintings are always in line with the entrance to the North Gallery - we want to walk towards the colour

Colour draws the eye and makes us walk forward

• I much appreciated the nuances of colour in this painting (below) of winter light at a coastal location by Keith Richens - which can then cope with a grey frame because of the colour. (But grey within grey is too much!)

Winter Light by Keith Richens RSMA

There appears to be more artwork by female artists than ever before - in what has been a genre which has been very dominated by men for a long time. I also counted the RSMA membership

• 51 Members of which 7 are women (14%)
• 13 Associate Members of which 2 are women (15%)
• 4 Life Members of which 2 are women (50%)
• It's not very encouraging to women is it? So well done to all that applied through the open entry and succeeded in getting their artwork selected.

Sadly, this exhibition is also beginning to show evidence of a challenge faced by very many art societies with an ageing membership. 

• I noted rather more artworks by older members of the RSMA which lack the quality and impact that these artists have achieved in the past (giben I've been coming to the exhibition for many years - see below). 
• I watched exhibitions by one FBA art society go downhill very fast when it continued to hang ALL entries by elderly member artists. 
• There are various options for addressing this issue which makes such decisions more amenable to those involved.
• One FBA art society addressed this issue by elevating elderly members to Honorary Retired status - thus allowing them to retire from submissions.
• Another has a Senior Member status which means no subscription to pay - but only one artwork is hung as of right. Others can be submitted but must be subject to selection i.e. they have to make the grade.
• whatever route is taken, if exhibitions are to remain high quality events then selection of artwork by members needs to be considered as an option. The overall aim must always be to have most of the artwork by members looking better than artwork by artists submitting via the open entry.

About marine art

RSMA Annual Exhibition 2022: View of the East Gallery

This exhibition looks to show diverse subjects. techniques and media are all represented to best advantage. (from the introduction on the wall in the East Gallery - which I didn't finish reading until today!)

Subject Matter

This is an open art exhibition which invites artwork about anything that involves tidal waters of the world. In other this is not about water per se - it MUST be associated with the coast and places where tides have an impact

Royal Society of Marine Artists - Prizes and Awards 2022

I visited the Annual Exhibition of the Royal Society of Marine Artists last week. This post focuses on the prizes and awards and tomorrow's will be my review of the exhibition. It's critical of how these are announced on both the RSMA and Mall Galleries websites. I recommend much more attention to detail and timing in 2023.

Feature wall in the East Gallery of the RSMA Open Exhibition 2022

The RSMA 77th Exhibition continues 

• at the Mall Galleries in London 
• until Saturday 1st October 2022. Hours are 10am to 5pm.

The Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition 2022 presents works inspired by the sea and marine environment, including harbours and shorelines, traditional craft and contemporary shipping, creeks, beaches, wildlife.

You can also see it online on the Mall Galleries website

This was my post about the Call for Entries: Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition 2022

I stopped focusing on prizes and awards when writing about FBA Society Exhibitions at the Mall Galleries when their blog picked up this very necessary communication. However I note there's been no announcement to date of awards on the RSMA website

• Given one of the attractions of submitting artwork to an open exhibition is the possibility of adding your winning an award to polish up your CV this seems to me to be a big mistake. 
• Also if you want people to sponsor awards then announcing them online is also very important. 
• More importantly, it's important to have an accurate and up to date listing - and the one on the RSMA website is out of date as well as missing prizewinners
• If you value the work of the artwork submitted then you need to demonstrate this very cogently by communicating about it after the announcement. 

AND 

• the link to the announcement on the Mall Galleries website is only identified via Facebook. It's not referenced on the exhibition page or in the News section!
• PLUS it doesn't identify any of the awards by the sponsors' name on the page about the awards!! (How to Keep a Sponsor Happy - NOT!)
• AND it's incomplete!!!

However people change in terms of both societies and the galleries holding the exhibition and sometimes people lose sight of what's important....

So I'm back with a post featuring prizes and awards. Not that I've got a list of these because there was none at the front desk! So whether or not there's a picture depends on whether I spotted the sticker on the wall - which incidentally I think could usefully be in a different colour to mark it out from the artwork details sticker.

View of one of the walls in the West Gallery

RSMA Annual Exhibition 2022: Prizes and Awards

The BAE Systems Award

Value: £5,000

Do you have a Weebly website?

This post is for owners of a Weebly website. It's a bit techie - but not as techie as it should be!

What follows covers

• the background to the transition from a Weebly Account to a Square Account - by 6th October 2022
• problems encountered en route
• the appalling transition documentation
• TIP when you create your new Square account
• How to login after you've setup your new Square account
• What next?

Background to Weebly to Square Account Transition

Weebly is one of the main webware houses for artists' websites - with Wix and Squarespace being the others (as in millions of websites!)

Weebly is currently trying to transition its website owners from the Weebly account / login to a new Square account / login. That's because Square - which is essentially an ecommerce operation - acquired Weebly in 2018. 

As a current Weebly user, you are required to update your login and connect with Square by October 6, 2022. With Square, your site will have an extra layer of security with two-factor authentication, access to a suite of business tools, and the ability to process payments more securely.

Problems encountered

There's just a few problems! Such as:

• the transition process is not very customer oriented - as in writing a set of "this is what you need to do in very plain simple steps + this is how it works in future" i.e. specifically for the consumer
• the new login URL for Square is buried DEEP within the transition FAQs text. It's https://squareup.com/gb/en
• this is the screen you are presented with when logging in - after you've found the new URL for login! There is absolutely no way you know how to transfer to the website suite - because there's no recognition of its existence on the dashboard!!

The appalling Weebly to Square Transition Documentation

The transition documentation is essentially totally non-existent - in terms of what is commonly understood as best practice.

I doubt very much if they tested any of it with existing Weebly account holders.

You are referred to Weebly and Square FAQ (which is a Weebly Document)

When you create a Square Account (from the button in the notice email) you get access to documents associated with Square (i.e. General Terms of Service, Payment Terms and Privacy Notice you get when you set up your new Square login)

By creating a Square login, nothing will change with your existing website. For more information, please read here.

This link takes you to back to the document identified above - which does NOT provide a step by step transition process

Then in tiny type at the top of this document you notice it says  

If you're a Weebly user being prompted to change your login to Square, review our Weebly and Square FAQ article in our Square Support Center for the most up-to-date information.

The difference is this document sits within the Square Support Service - even if it is not recognised by the search facility for support!!!

It's titled Weebly and Square FAQs and states in one of the FAQs

I don’t have a Square account. How do I set one up?

Creating your Square account should only take about 5 minutes. As a Weebly customer, you’ll receive an email asking you to update to a Square account. Use the link in the email to get started. You can also start this process from your Weebly dashboard via a button in the announcement banner.

Once your Square account is created, you’ll log in from squareup.com using your Square email address. This means that you’ll have one login to manage everything related to your website and accepting payments online.

Check out our switching to Square Online FAQs for more information on accessing and managing your sites in your Square account

This highlights another document - which similarly does NOT provide a step by step process for those confused by the very poor communication for this transition process

Switch to Square Online from Weebly FAQs starts by marketing Square - which is wholly irrelevant at this stage!!

People just need to know

• how to set up a Square account correctly to link with their existing website - and
• to understand very clearly what are the implications of different options offeredIt does NOT address this in a simple and easy to read fashion.

It also says

What effect will this merger have on my Weebly account?

As part of our merger with Square, we ask that you replace your Weebly account with a Square account. You’ll use the Square account to sign in going forward, and all Weebly logos and branding will be replaced with Square branding

This note also states

Once your Weebly and Square accounts are linked, you’ll log in to your account from squareup.com using your Square email address. This means that you’ll have one login to manage everything related to your website and accepting payments online.

Finally they indicate what the url is for the login!!!

But - to come full circle - this is where I came in - this URL only provides access to the Square Dashboard and no way of accessing my websites!

The Square Support Page generates NOTHING about the transition for Weebly website owners (that's several million people!) 

Plus if you type in "Transition" you get nothing. Major mistake!

It's an all-round COMPLETE SHAMBLES! (I speak as one who used to implement new IT systems and understand full well the importance of the documentation which accompanies the transition)

TIP When you create you Square account

The Artist formerly known as Prince

There have been a few posts on social media using this quip.

However it's worth remembering that King Charles III is an artist who is a keen painter in watercolours and who exhibits his paintings on a regular basis. 

He is also a Patron of drawing, traditional art and crafts in different locations both in the UK and abroad.

I remember when Prince Philip died I made reference in Prince Philip (1921-2021) - the painter to his interest in painting.  I guess this interest must have influenced his son. I'm hoping it passes on to more of his progeny.

Below you can find out more about his activities - when Prince of Wales in terms of: 

• watercolour painter
• timeline of exhibitions
• patron of art

Watercolour Painter

As a Prince, he painted from childhood. 

However he did not become dedicated to plein air painting of landscapes and nature in watercolour until the mid 1980s. After which he produced paintings of places he visited and generally produced about 30 paintings each year.

He has, up until now, painted under the name A.G Carrick. The A. G. relates to two of his names 'Arthur George' and the Carrick references one of his titles 'Earl of Carrick' - one of the Scottish titles held by the Heir Apparent.  I think I'm correct in saying that he has typically signed his watercolours AG. 

However he's no longer the Earl of Carrick as that title has now passed to his son! 

I wonder if being King might mean we no longer see his watercolours even if he continues to paint them.

Timeline of Exhibitions

Ken Howard (1932 - 2022)

The death yesterday of Ken Howard OBE RA PPNEAC ROI RBSA RWA HonRBA has been announced. 

He celebrated his 22nd wedding anniversary on Friday 9th September with his partner Dora Bertolutti in Mousehole in Cornwall. Sadly his life ended at Truro Hospital on Sunday 11th September 2022, age 89,  following a very bad fall at his home in Mousehole in Cornwall.

Anybody who has been visiting exhibitions in London over the last two decades will have come across the artwork of Ken Howard on multiple occasions. Despite being represented by a leading art gallery in Bond Street gallery he regularly exhibited with art societies - most of which he was a member of.

For me painting is about three things. It is about revelation, communication and celebration. By revelation I mean giving people a way of seeing, revealing the world around them in a way they have never seen before, opening their eyes.

Ken Howard website

He also taught and mentored a number of artists - many of whom are active in art societies and  doing well! (see the end of this post for some of their tributes)

Self Portrait with Merida (oil on canvas) by Ken Howard

Below you can find an overview of the life and work of Ken Howard - including:

• the timeline of his life
• awards and honours
• publications about him and his work - and by him
• membership of art societies
• commissions
• art collections

I'll add in links to other obituaries and tributes about him at the end as I find them.

Ken Howard - a timeline

Ken Howard at 22, Ken Howard at 80

by Ken Howard PPNEAC, RA RBA ROI RWS

Exhibited at Royal Society of Portrait Painters - Annual Exhibition 2013

Early Life

• 1932 Ken Howard born in London. He lived in Alder Grove, Cricklewood and went to Kilburn Grammar School
• 1953-55 National Service in the Royal Marines

Art Education

• 1949-53 Studied at the Hornsey School of Art

As a student he participated regularly in the Hampstead open air art exhibitions and was commissioned to paint watercolours of local buildings and features including Keats House and Whitestone Pond.

• 1955-58 Studied at the Royal College of Art
• 1958-59 British Council Scholarship to Florence

Appointments

• 1973 and 1979 - Appointed official artist in Ireland by the Imperial War Museum 
• 2004-2012 - Elected Professor of Perspective at the Royal Academy Schools
• 2007 - Appointed Freeman of the City of London, Liveryman Painter Stainers
• 2017 - Appointed a Patron of the Turner's House Trust

Notable Exhibitions

• 1952 First exhibited at the Royal Academy
• 1959 First exhibited at the New English Art Club
• First exhibited at Richard Green at 147 New Bond Street

Ken Howard painting June Mendoza painting Ken by June Mendoza OBE RP ROI

Art Societies

One of the notable aspects of Ken Howard was his wide and active involvement with various art societies. At one point he was a member of a large number by competitive entry and election. Others elected him as an Honorary Member as they liked his work so much!

• 1962 Elected member of the New English Art Club
• 1966 Elected member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters
• 1979 Elected member of the Royal Society of Painters in Watercolours
• 1981 Elected member of the Royal West of England Academy
• 1983 Associate Member of the Royal Academy
• 1988 Honorary Member of the Royal Society of British Artists
• Honorary Member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters
• 1991 Member of the Royal Academy
• 1998-2005 - President of the New English Art Club
• 2006 - Elected fellow of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters
• 2008 - Honorary Member of the Society of Graphic Fine Art

Ken Howard was considered by many to be an old favourite and stalwart of more than one society within the the world of the Federation of British Artists.

Latterly he began to become a Judge of many of the art competitions that such member artists entered.

Light effects I-VI, Calle Larga Galliana
a series of six oil paintings,
copyright Ken Howard RA, RWS, NEAC, RWA, ROI, RBA, RBSA, ARCA
exhibited at NEAC in 2009

He was so very popular that this led to a number of artists who sought to emulate him and his art. Towards the end of his career, I commented at one exhibition in 2018

I'm beginning to think that the successors to Ken Howard in terms of scope and style - are now outpainting Ken Howard....

but it took a very long time before that happened!

(Some of his) Prizes, Awards and Honours

• First prize Lord Mayor’s Art Award
• 1969 First prize Arundel Art Centre
• 1978 Prize winner John Moores Exhibition
• Prize winner John Laing Exhibition
• 1982 First prize Hunting Group Awards
• Prize winner Royal West of England Academy
• 1985 Critics’ prize, Sparkasse Karlsruhe
• 1986 Prize winner New English Art Club Centenary Exhibition
• 2001 - Critics’ prize New English Art Club 2001
• 2010 - Awarded OBE for services to Art in the Queen’s Birthday Honours

Ken Howard - Publications

Review Part 2: 161st Annual Exhibition of the Society of Women Artists

Part 2 of  my review of the annual exhibition of the Society of Women Artists at the Mall Galleries covers the exhibition as a whole in relation to:

• 469 artworks on display - with a high standard
• The ratio of members artwork to artwork selected from the open entry is 50:50. The latter has been selected from over 3,000 entries via the call for entries from non members
• a very great deal of 'fresh' artwork with "same old same old" at a minimum
• an outstanding exhibition sculpture
• a very impressive gallery of portraits
• better than some other art society exhibitions at the Mall Galleries

Yesterday I published Part 1 of my Review: 161st Annual Exhibition of the Society of Women Artists - which focused on the prizewinners.

Some of the sculpture in the West Gallery

The exhibition is open daily at the Mall Galleries 10am - 5pm - except for the last day (Sunday 11th September) when it closes at 1pm.

This is the list of artists selected for the exhibition - click their names to see their work online

Attractiveness of this Open Exhibition

This is an exhibition which:

• attracts over 3,000 entries via the open entry
• selects a large number of works for hanging or display in the exhibition - across all three galleries of the Mall Galleries
• aims to achieve a 50:50 ratio in relation to
• artwork exhibited by members
• artwork selected from the open entry
• AND in the way the artwork is exhibited

The latter 50:50 in particular is a very attractive proposition for those women artists wanting to enter open art exhibitions. It's a ratio not always achieved by the national art societies who rather too often tend to favour their members.

West Gallery

Moreover the exhibition is hung in such a way that it mixes up the artwork by members and non-members right across the exhibition. There's no "hogging" particular galleries by members and no sense of any dip in the quality of the work as you get into the North Gallery and move back - which is, to my mind, a feature of a few too many exhibitions held at the Mall Galleries.

So overall - this is an exhibition which demonstrates a very fair and even-handed approach to artwork by both members and non-members.

East Gallery - end wall

Quality of the Artwork

Review: 161st Annual Exhibition of the Society of Women Artists (Part 1: Prizewinners)

I visited the 161st Annual Exhibition of the Society of Women Artists at the Mall Galleries yesterday. I highly recommend you get along to the Mall Galleries if you can before it closes on Sunday 11th September.

Two large charcoal drawings exhibited in the East Gallery

The artwork can also be seen via an online exhibition.

Here's a summary of the highlights of my review - which I apologise for truncating and posting late due to the events of this afternoon.

PART 1:

• a packed Private View
• a good range of prizes - won by SWA members and open artists

PART 2:

• 469 artworks on display - with a high standard
• The ratio of members artwork to artwork selected from the open entry is 50:50. The latter has been selected from over 3,000 entries via the call for entries from non members
• a very great deal of 'fresh' artwork with "same old same old" at a minimum
• an outstanding exhibition sculpture
• a very impressive gallery of portraits
• better than some other art society exhibitions at the Mall Galleries

The exhibition is open daily 10am - 5pm - except for the last day when it closes at 1pm.

Private View & Prizes

Wildlife Artist of the Year won by Cy Baker

This year's open competitions for the Wildlife Artist of the Year - sponsored by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and BBC Wildlife attracted a total of 1,654 artworks from 850 artists in 55 countries.

The competition amongst wildlife artists from all over the world was won by Cy Baker - about which there's more below!

Wildlife Artist of the Year was established in 2008 by David Shepherd CBE FRSA (1931 – 2017) and embodies his vision for ‘The Art of Survival’ i.e. using art for wildlife conservation. It's now co-sponsored by BBC Wildlife who used to also run a (separate) Wildlife Artist of the Year competition. It used to be very confusing at times!

Below you can find out more about the exhibition and how to see it - and who won the awards and prizes.

That's a decrease across all three categories: No. of artworks, no. of artists and no. of countries - compared to 2021. That said, it's comparable with 2020. Both exhibitions during the Pandemic were online only. The Online Exhibition 2022

Those selected for exhibition - and awards - were identified last week.

As somebody who has followed this exhibition every year and visited the Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries since 2008, I feel very, very sad this year that the exhibition this year is an ONLINE GALLERY ONLY EXHIBITION and I can't see the artwork 'up close and personal'. 

It's such a shame as we come out of the worst of the pandemic that we're not seeing this art competition returning to a proper art exhibition in a gallery - as is now happening with other regular art exhibitions at a national level.

I'm hearing from various organisations that they can no longer afford to exhibit at the Mall Galleries. The thing about managing a business is you can't price yourself out of the market - and you need prestigious exhibitions like this one to remain a gallery that people want to exhibit at.

The 2022 entries are grouped in galleries according to different categories which are 

Sales from the Artist's Estate

This is about resources for those needing to think about the disposal of art from an Estate after the death of an artist and/or art collector.

Having lost my mother recently, I'm in that rather odd phase where you become super sensitive to all mentions of death.

This morning it was the passing of Bill Turnbull - and the shock of realising he was younger than me! 

Followed by looking at the Mall Galleries website to check the dates of an exhibition - and noticing that the first thing I see is a new section of their website about sales of art from Artists Estates. 

(It's on the home page at the moment - but it's unclear which section you can find it in future as there are two possible options)

This appears to be publicising a feature/service that a small number of deceased members of the societies which make up the Federation of British Artists enjoy. It's certainly NOT including artwork by every artist who has died. Many of course will have made alternative arrangements. But there is a selection of artists whose work continues to be available online.

It occurs to me there's scope to make this into a more developed aspect of the offerings by the Mall Galleries. 

• Almost every exhibition I go to has news of between one and three artists who have died in the past year. 
• This is in part because many of the members of the various artists which make up the nine national Art Societies which form the Federation of British Artists (FBA) which runs the Mall Galleries tend to be rather old.

It's also a well known fact that many artists

• tend to bury their heads in the sand when it comes to thinking about disposal of their art after their death
• AND are not very good at making arrangements in advance for the disposal of their art after their death. Who should do it - and how it should be done. 

It's one thing to appoint Executors - as we all do - but many artists also need a specific Executor appointed to handle their art.

I've been well aware of this issue of the Art Legacy for some time. Hence a major section on my Art Business Info for Artists website which covers this topic - of which more below.....

The Art Legacy | Art Business Info for Artists