Press Releases

Neale Howells has today been named as the Welsh winner of the Lexmark European Art Prize 2004, Europe’s only pan-European painting prize. 

Neale, 38 and from Neath has been exhibiting for almost 10 years. He is a keen artist who likes to push the boundaries of art and has previously been rewarded for his efforts, having been commissioned to design single and album covers for the Manic Street Preachers.

“It’s always good to be recognised for your work and it’s a real bonus to be awarded the Welsh accolade. Hopefully next year I can go one better and take the overall award!”

Neale’s painting, ‘Dragging Her Home’, was created using a number of different materials including, acrylics, oils, sprays and pastels, all helping to give it a very original look. Neale takes his inspiration from many forms be it TV, radio, or even just words in his head which he uses as a base before destroying the work and working it back up. Neale’s painting was displayed alongside the other 28 UK finalists at the Air Gallery in Dover St, London where Simon Keenleyside was announced as the UK winner in a ceremony last Thursday.

The UK panel of judges included 2003’s overall winner and Saatchi favourite, Christian Ward, from London. The European panel have now selected 10 finalists from over 4,000 entries across Europe.  The short-listed works feature paintings from Italy, Germany, Poland, France, Russia and the UK.

Meredith Etherington-Smith Chairman of Art Fortnight, and member of the judging panel is delighted that the prize is demonstrating a clear revival in painting: “If the last decade of the 20th Century was noted for developments in conceptual art, the first years of the 21st Century have seen a strong revival in the ancient art of painting.  It has been a challenge and a privilege to be involved in judging a prize that is solely dedicated to painting, and recognising emerging talent in this field.”

The 2004 Prize has seen hundreds of entries drawn from around the UK, not just from professional artists but amateurs including a biology student, a spiritualist and a support worker for people with learning disabilities.

Giovanni Giusti, Managing Director, Lexmark UK said:  “This is a great opportunity for emerging artists to be recognised. In a time when art takes in so many different mediums, it’s fantastic to be involved in a prize solely supporting painting and offering new opportunities to the artists of tomorrow.”

The announcement of the overall winner will be made on 7th October from Milan.

About the Lexmark European Art Prize
The Lexmark European Art Prize is the first ever painting prize to be launched on an annual pan-European basis.  The competition extends Lexmark’s significant investment in the arts which includes the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the French Réunion des Musées Nationaux and Lexmark’s Art Education Programme which introduced fine art to over 600 schools in the US.

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