Contemporary British Portrait Painters 2024 - Critics’ Picks
How do you see yourself? How would you like others to see you? Those are fascinating questions that can be fun to casually debate over a cuppa with your bestie, but are critical to understand if you want your portrait painted. That’s the challenge we set for the latest iteration of Critics’ Picks.
57 of the best British practitioners of contemporary portraiture are currently showing in Brixton. We asked our panelists to have a look and let us know which artist they’d want to paint their portrait. Have a scroll to read who everyone picked, and why.
Brief bios for each of the panelists are at the end.
Samira Addo - @mimma_art
Selected by Tabish - @londonartcritic
Words: Big bold strokes of colour feel opposite to what you need to create an accurate portrait, yet that’s exactly what Samira Addo does. It’s not just a good likeness, she even manages to capture a sense of character in her sitter. Given my life is about constantly being on the move and pulled in multiple directions it feels fitting that I would select her to create my portrait. Though the calibre of the exhibition is so high I would happily let anyone in the show paint my likeness.
Kayoon Anderson - @kayoon_anderson
Selected by Lee - @leesharrock
Confronted by a Cornucopia of talent at the Contemporary British Portrait Painters exhibition, it’s a challenge to select one artist I would want to paint my portrait. 57 artists demonstrate techniques ranging from unforgiving Hyper-realism to the softer impressionist style. After some procrastination I decided on Kayoon Anderson, a rising talent whose Post-Impressionist style and muted palette captures the essence of her subjects. ‘Out for a Walk’ features two children gazing at an unknown object as their dog stares into the distance, evoking an intriguing narrative. Korean-British Anderson’s artistic practice draws influence from Italian Gothic art and Korean Munbangdo painting.
Simon Bartram - @Simon.Bartram
Selected by Jo - @josarthistory
My portrait of choice from the Contemporary British Portrait Painters exhibition is Bluebell by Simon Bartram. This beautiful detailed portrait is one which, despite its stature, captured my attention with its extraordinary detail and handling of the sitter.
It’s a classic art historical profile with a modern twist, and somehow reminds me of the works of Hieronymus Bosch & Peter Howson. A combination I didn’t know I needed in my life. Perhaps it also helps that I used to work for Adidas, so any link to the three stripes always has my heart.
I would happily sit for a portrait in my own Adidas tracksuit any day.
Paul Benny - @paulbenneystudios
Selected by Manmeet - @kaurmanmeet
What first caught my attention at Contemporary British Portrait Painters exhibition was Paul Benney’s portrait work, Kiki. This distinctly displayed piece on a worn-down wall offered a unique character, enhancing the overall impact. I admired the subtlety and muted tones in the medium—oil and resin on panel—that imbued the oval painting with uniqueness. The artist’s rendition is understated yet powerful, subtle yet assertive, muted yet profound, with each detail speaking volumes. With all of this, there was something spooky about it. Hmm! It would be intriguing to see my portrait through Benney's lens.
Ilsa Brittain - @ilsabrittain
Selected by Veronica - @theactivistcurator
If I commission my own portrait, creativity and colour need to be put into play. I would look for a style where the artist could see something beyond the literal image of myself, and Ilsa Brittain got my attention.
(Referring to the portrait on display) It is a collage using pieces of realistic portraits, crispy leaves, abstract shapes, and bold colours. It seems to unify the different parts that form a person, discovering new details every time that you look at it, like getting to know someone.
Belinda Crozier - @belindacrozier_artist
Selected by Olivia - @ollieroserum
The best portraits make you want to know more about the sitter and Judith was enigmatic. Her blue hat drew me in first, but I kept returning for the corner of her mouth pinning the whole portrait in place. Despite the far-away-ness of her gaze, there’s a surety to her character captured by Crozier. The way she’s framed draws the focus inward and hints at an underlying complexity. In Judith and Eileen, she’s softened by Eileen’s accompanying smile and the grounding press of their shoulders. I should like to be depicted with as much care as Crozier gave Judith.
Belinda Eaton - @belinda_eaton
Selected by Sophie - @professional_art_bullshitter
I don't want anyone to look at me—ME. I want to be that man in the painting. I want his body, tattoos, and confidence. I want to be dark, mysterious, and tough. I want my glasses to hide who I really am and protect me from everyone. I want my eyes to be gentle and caring, but only for a few. But if painting is the only way to move forward, then I want Belinda to paint me like she painted Tao.
Owain Hunt - @owainhunt
Selected by Darren - @LondonArtRoundup
Comparing the styles of 57 different portrait painters really helped me identify the themes and techniques that appeal to me. Bold use of colour, not in-your-face vibrant. Stark backgrounds reduce visual distraction from the sitter, composed to show both face and figure. A true to life likeness with a stylised brush stroke approach, to ensure it avoids potential uncanny valley photorealism. It’s got to capture my essence and absolutely look like me, but this is a painting. If I wanted photo accurate I’d sit for a camera. Factor it all together and I’m left with one clear choice: Owain Hunt.
Plan your visit
‘The 2024 Exhibition’ runs from 08 - 15 June
FREE!
Visit thecbpp.org and follow @thecbpp on Instagram for more info.
Venue: The Department Store, 248 Ferndale Road, Brixton SW9 8FR
The Critics Panel
London Art Roundup is proud to partner with and support the following art lovers who generously donated their time to this project:
Jo - @josarthistory — Jo McLaughlin is an art historian, curator and writer based in London. She is the Senior Curator for Acrylicize and hosts the global iTunes top 40 podcast Jo's Art History Podcast. linktr.ee/josarthistory
Lee - @leesharrock — is a writer, curator and creative publicist that works with a wide range of galleries, artists and creatives in London and internationally. Lee writes for Artlyst, Artplugged, Creative Review and FAD Magazine, and is the founder and editor of Culturalee.art.
Manmeet - @kaurmanmeet — Passionate about promoting emerging voices within the arts, Manmeet is an independent curator who has represented organisations on various platforms and facilitated dialogues around inclusion and exclusion.
Olivia - @ollieroserum — Olivia Rumsey is a London based writer/curator currently working for The Fores Project. In her practice she writes about lesbian ghosts and queer fantasy.
Sophie - @professional_art_bullshitter — Sophie Nowakowska is a freelance curator, art critic, and mentor. She frequently writes about contemporary art, focusing especially on examining and critiquing the culture of art exhibitions.
Tabish - @londonartcritic — Tabish believes passionately in making art accessible for everyone. He's the art critic for Londonist and writes for Culture Whisper, FAD and others. He's a trustee of City & Guilds London Art School, Discerning Eye and ArtCan.
Veronica - @theactivistcurator — Veronica is an independent curator and museologist. She works directly with artists, local communities, and art organisations, using social activism to improve ethical practices in the visual arts.
…and of course, me!
Darren - @LondonArtRoundup — Has been collecting art for 20 years. Now an independent critic, he sees as many shows as he can, but only writes about the good ones. This is his site.
One more note:
Many thanks to the Contemporary British Portrait Painter team for their support.
PLUS…
Check the What’s On page so you don’t miss any other great shows closing soon.
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