Press Releases

The UK shortlist for the €30,000 Lexmark European Art Prize is announced today after a record number of entries.

While the 30-strong shortlist features paintings from several full time artists and current art students, the judges also picked works from a biology student, a spiritualist and a support worker for people with learning disabilities.

Currently studying a biological sciences degree at Cardiff University, nineteen year old Bianca Soucek said, “I’m still in shock that I’ve been short listed!  I’ve loved painting since I was a child, but I haven’t had much time since I started University. I only entered on the off chance – I never thought anything would come of it!”

29 year old Jonathan Ridley from Brighton is a support worker for people with disabilities.  Commenting on the news he said, “I’ve never had the confidence, or the financial stability, to paint full time.  It’s a huge boost to my confidence that the judges picked my painting from so many entries”.

Lexmark, the leading printer manufacturer, welcomed almost 4,000 entries from painters across Europe - doubling entries from its debut year.  The UK winner will this year be awarded £5000 before going forward to compete in Europe for the overall prize of €30,000. 

The 291 UK entries were judged by a panel of some of the most highly respected figures from the European art world.  Professor Brendan Neiland, Keeper of the Royal Academy Schools, chaired the seven strong judging panel which included last year’s winner and Saatchi favourite, Christian Ward.

The Lexmark European Art Prize is the first ever pan-European painting prize and has been welcomed for a second year by industry professionals.  Brendan Neiland, said, “It’s so encouraging to see a prize solely dedicated to supporting the renaissance of painting as a medium in the face of conceptual art; the exceptional level of entries we’ve received this year reflect this”.

“We’ve seen an interesting mix of entries from across Europe especially from Italy and the Scandinavian countries, he continued, “Some of the most exciting works for me were from people who paint in their spare time but clearly have the ability to make a name for themselves.”

Commenting on the UK shortlist, Lexmark UK MD, Giovanni Giusti said, “This is the second year of the prize and we’re pleased to see its reputation growing not just with the art community but with the general public too.  Personally I’m really pleased that we’re able to give these obviously talented artists a helping hand to achieve their dreams.”

The UK shortlist will be exhibited in London in September where the UK and regional winners will be announced.  The overall European winner will be revealed in Italy in October.

The judging panel for the next stage will include the following:

• Professor Brendan Neiland, Chairman of Judges and Keeper of the Royal Academy Schools
• Meredith Etherington-Smith, Chairman of ArtFortnight London
• Christian Ward, Artist and winner of the 2003 Lexmark European Art Prize
• Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, President of the Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Turin, Italy
• Antonello Cardone, Lexmark European Vice President
• Burkhard Held, Dean of the Faculty  of Arts at Berlin University of Arts
• Lorena Martinez, Art Critic and Independent Curator, Barcelona

This growing prize reinforces Lexmark’s continued commitment to the arts and builds on the company’s valued relationships in the art world. 

- Ends -