Beyond the Prize | Celebrating Contemporary Figurative Art
- | 11am to 6pm, 1pm on final day
Admission £6, Free for Friends of Mall Galleries and under 25s. Concessions available. No booking required.
Receiving an award from a society of professionals at the pinnacle of UK figurative art was this really energising confirmation — enough to sustain a whole career I think — that it’s only and entirely about finding a way to produce the best work you can and keep going.
Beyond the Prize
Curated by art critic Tabish Khan
Opening Reception: Tuesday 15 April, 6pm to 9pm, for World Art Day (RSVP here)
Beyond the Prize is an exhibition featuring recent award-winning artists, whose new works showcase figurative art as a thriving, contemporary art form.
The exhibition is presented by the Federation of British Artists, a collective of leading art societies based at Mall Galleries. It is through the exhibitions and initiatives of the Federation - led by artists, for all - that more than £100,000 worth of prizes and awards, bursaries, residencies and scholarships are awarded to artists annually. Featured in this exhibition are many of these winners, plus award-winning artists from the Royal West of England Academy, Royal Scottish Academy, Royal Ulster Academy of Arts, and Wales Contemporary.
Bringing together the best emerging and established artists from art societies across the UK, the exhibition celebrates the impact of prizes and awards on their work, and their work on the world.
'I feel more confident creating and less afraid of exploring possibilities when developing a body of work', says one winner. 'The art world can be very tough,' says another, 'so it feels great to be a part of this wonderful community at Mall Galleries.'
Hear more from the artists, including the prizes they won, on Bloomberg Connects, where there are interviews with many of the exhibitors about their journey to the prize and beyond.
This includes their responses to the question: "What impact do you think art has on the world, now, and in the future?"
Have your say in a special display in the gallery during the show and on social media @mallgalleries #Beyond25
About the Curator
Art critic Tabish Khan (@londonartcritic)
Tabish is the visual arts editor for Londonist, a trustee of City & Guilds London Art School, ArtCan, Discerning Eye, and a member of The Critics’ Circle.
Events Programme
Art After Hours: Life Drawing Session
Wednesday 16 April, 6pm to 8:30pm
Draw, paint or sculpt alongside fellow artists after hours from a choice of three models
Artist Talk | Café de Paris
Thursday 17 April, 12 noon
An artist talk by Peter Graham
Free with admission, no booking required
In-Person Session: “Surviving and Thriving as an Artist”
Thursday 17 April, 6:30pm
With artist-curator, author, and Faculty Expert of the Professional Artist Association, Rosalind Davis
Virtual Session: Impression | How to Make the Right Impression as an Artist
Tuesday 22 April, 12 noon (GMT)
With the Founder & Director of Education of the Professional Artist Association, Miguel L. Mayher
LIVE PODCAST | The Good The Bad And The Arty
Thursday 24 April, 6pm to 8:30pm
In this live podcast episode at Mall Galleries, art critic Tabish Khan and artist and broadcaster Anna Gammans speak with award-winning artist Kelvin Okafor
Beyond the Prize
Events Partner | Professional Artist Association
The Professional Artist Association is a global platform that provides life-long support for visual artists to prosper. The PAA is a certified “Education and Vocational Training” organisation.
Learn more about their world-class trainings from leading arts professionals, growing online community, and other services.