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Thursday 24 Jun 2010

CALLING ALL LONDON ARTISTS: A CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR WORK SEEN BY MILLIONS

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The winner of the new London Lives art competition will have their work reproduced to a large-scale and then emblazoned centrally on Blackfriars Bridge in London for 12 months

If you’re an artist and fancy having your work seen by millions, then this competition is right up your street. Or perhaps that should be ‘across your bridge…’

London Lives is a vibrant, new and free-to-enter art competition developed in partnership by Bankside Gallery, Cass Art and Network Rail, and supported by the Guardian.

The competition aims to explore the concept of London and what it is, celebrating its renowned energy, diversity and originality. From its pulsating streets, bustling transport system, history and colourful markets, through to its serene parks, magnificent river and an evolving cityscape - the judges want to see what London really means to you. This year’s competition follows on from last year’s successful Thames Water-Colours public art exhibition.

Artists entering the competition will have their work judged by a panel of five associated with the Capital’s art industry and be in the running to win either the gold medal (first place), silver medal (runner up) or one of 20 highly commended places.

The gold medal award comes with a very rare promotional opportunity; the recipient of this prize will have their artwork reproduced to a large-scale and then centrally emblazoned on the hoarding line that runs across Blackfriars Bridge where it will be viewed by up to 10 million people over a 12 month period. In addition to this, their work will figure in a special two week selling exhibition at Bankside Gallery that will showcase the competition’s Top 100 short-listed entries, and they will receive a commemorative certificate plus £1,500 worth of gift vouchers from Cass Art.

Angela Parker, Director, Bankside Gallery, says: “We are delighted to be holding the exhibition London Lives here at Bankside Gallery. Over the past decade we have seen the surrounding area transform into a vibrant and diverse cultural quarter. We look forward to seeing how the winning artists capture this spirit of energy and change that typifies London”.  

To enter London Lives artists need to visit the specially developed micro-site, www.guardian.co.uk/london-lives  , and submit a good quality photographic image of their original artwork that is not more than 10MB in size and at least 300dpi.

The original artwork may be in any 2D paint or print media including oil, tempura, acrylic, watercolour, inks or original print. Works should be no larger than 90cm wide when framed, and should be in landscape format.

Mark Cass, Cass Art and patron of London Lives, comments: “Cass Art is proud to be involved in London Lives – an art competition open to all, with a unique opportunity for the winning artist to showcase their talent across the Thames.”

Jerry Swift, Network Rail head of corporate responsibility, adds: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Bankside Gallery and Cass Art on the London Lives art competition. This is a great opportunity for us to get involved in the community, particularly when we are working in the local area on the landmark redevelopment of Blackfriars station.

“The winning work of art when reproduced and emblazoned centrally on the temporary hoarding line that runs across Blackfriars Bridge is an exciting use of what would otherwise be dead space. We are confident the winning image will help brighten up the area and give the featured artist the chance to display their work in a high-profile location to a large and diverse audience.”

The London Lives competition closes at midnight, Sunday, 25 July 2010. It will be complemented by a selling exhibition that will take place at Bankside Gallery from 9 September 2010 to 19 September 2010, featuring a short-list of the top 100 entered works. For each work sold at this exhibition a donation will be made to Cancer Research UK.