BP Portrait Award 2020

Night Talk by Jiab Prachakul ©Jiab Prachakul, National Portrait Gallery

I used to paint portraits almost exclusively, and so am familiar with the National Portrait Gallery’s annual award. This year is a little different, though, thanks to Corvid-19.

I read two articles on the prize - by Will Gompertz on BBC, and Lanre Bakare in the Guardian. Gompertz traced the influences on the winner, Jiab Prachakul, from David Hockney to Degas and Monet and even HIroshige. Gompertz admits that critiquing artwork by looking at photographs is difficult and I believe him. I guess it explains his 3/5 star verdict with comments without strong conviction.

Bakare’s article focused on the political element of the BP awards - how the NPG has disappointed some for not having severed the tie with the oil company unlike the Tate and RSC, but the judging panel this year had no BP representative for the first time. It is an article about the awards but not a critique of the winner’s work.

As for the winner’s painting, I am as unconvinced as Will Gompertz - It’s good but not sure if it’s great.