Image: Carles Belda Roman, ‘Study of Something Never Ends’
Hear from some of last years non-member prize winners
ahead of the 2024 annual exhibition
CARLES BELDA ROMAN:
Winner of ‘The RP prize for best small portrait’,
a prize of £2,000 for the best small portrait in the exhibition,
measuring not more than 38 x 30.5 cm (15 x 12 inches) unframed.
“Last year was my first time at the annual exhibition.
I liked the place very much and the paintings looked much better than in the photos. I really enjoy good paintings in real life.
When I visited the opening I only knew that I had been selected as a finalist and my work was going to be exposed. I went there to see the gallery and the work of other finalist painters I really admire.
But I didn’t know my work had been awarded. They sent the email when I was already in London and my internet signal was bad. When they said my name I was shocked. I didn’t see that coming. It was a great surprise.
My experience has been really good. They know what they are doing. The selection of the paintings, the organisation, the place, the way they treat the artists… You can see quality and honest sensitivity for painting. I have no doubts I will participate again.
+What you have been up to since and/or what you may have done with the prize money?
I returned to Madrid and, just one week later, I discovered that I had been selected for the Hudson River Fellowship. It is a residence organised by the Grand Central Atelier from New York. It was great going there: three weeks painting landscape in Connecticut during the Summer. I bought the plane tickets and covered some days in New York before and after the residence with the support of the prize.
It seemed to be a purpose behind everything. No doubts this year has been really interesting. Currently, I am working in some portraits and I continue my series of still lifes for an individual show next year.”
-Carles Belda Roman
MARTYN HARRIS:
Winner of: The Smallwood Architects Prize
Inaugurated in 2016, is awarded for a portrait in which architectural or interior features play an important part with a total prize of £1,000.
“Winning the Smallwoods Architects Prize for Contextual Portraiture has made a significant difference for me as a portrait artist’. Crucially, I believe that I am, now a more accomplished and critically aware artist with a greater clarity of purpose in relation to my work. In addition the winning of the prize, from the Royal Society has provided me with the opportunities to exhibit my paintings alongside many talented artists in a highly prestigious venue.
The prize has enabled me to expand and challenge the genre of Portraiture and has provided me with the platform to receive distinguished commissions through the Society.
I would like to thank the Royal Society of Portrait painters for their support during and after the exhibition.”
-Martyn Harris ARBSA
Both prizes will be available during this years annual exhibition.
Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity…
Submit your work for our annual 2024 exhibition now…
Commission a portrait with us…