The Oldie magazine and specialist fine art and heritage insurer Ecclesiastical have issued a final call for entries for the inaugural Oldie British Artists Awards, launched in April this year. Entries for the awards close on 31 July.
The new annual award, aimed at over-60s artists residing in the UK, has been launched by the Oldie and Ecclesiastical to counter-blast the unmade beds of the YBAs (Young British Artists) and to recognise the talent of older artists in this country. The organisers intend to celebrate figurative art, which they feel has been neglected lately in a rush for modernism and the need to shock.
The ten shortlisted entries will be exhibited at St Mary-le-Bow church in Cheapside, London, in the week running up to the awards event on 16 October 2012, and the winner will receive a prize of £5,000 and have the opportunity to exhibit their work at the Abbott and Holder Gallery in London.
Clare Pardy, Fine Art Underwriting Manager at Ecclesiastical and one of the judges, said: “The awards are a great opportunity to uncover some hidden artistic talent in this country and show off the skills of older artists. We have already received a number of great entries, but I’m confident there are more out there.
“We would like to encourage all over-60s artists producing figurative art or anyone who knows an artist that meets these criteria, to come forward and enter for this award. There is still time.
“We hope that the added bonus of an opportunity to exhibit work at the prestigious St Mary-le-Bow will entice a few more artists to get involved and make picking the winner for the judges as difficult as possible.”
More information about the award and how to enter can be found at www.theoldie.co.uk/obas.
