Art competitions – who should win?
I was interested to read Mike Barr's views on the judging of art competitions, (page 65, November 2021 issue) and would like to raise a few points. I have never entered an art competition before, but this year I plucked up courage to enter a couple of pieces for a competition organised by a tiny local gallery, attached to my favourite art café, which attracts local artists and musicians. Although I never expected to win, I thought it might be a start in my quest to become an ‘artist’. Fair enough – I wasn’t even selected for the final 50, but how are amateur artists like myself supposed to get a foot on the ladder, especially when the winner was a renowned local artist whose work commands high prices? Why does Mike Barr say that when artists who are beginners win the top prize, it disrespects the show, and other artists in the show? I find this rather insulting to amateurs like myself who have never been brave enough to submit work for a competition. I'm now rather reluctant to submit work to other small competitions, unless I can find one that only accepts first-time exhibitors – do such shows exist?
Georgina Moon, by email
Mike Barr replies: Please don’t give up, Georgina! In all fairness, the best art should always come out on top no matter who the artist is.
As an amateur artist I always competed in shows with professionals and enjoyed that challenge – but it doesn’t suit everyone. I am still rejected from shows too, even after paying hefty fees, it’s just part of the competition world. I know successful artists who never enter competitions – being an artist is about being unique and having your own voice.
Every year the TALP Open Competition* encourages amateurs to enter the Leisure Painter category. Only one painting per artist is selected, and this means 70 individual amateur artists, many of whom would consider themselves beginners, will hang in the show and be in the running for the many prizes. Like most shows, just being selected is a win!
*For more information about our TALP Open 2022, please see page 7. Ed