Show Me The Monet 2012

Show me the Monet. Sir Anthony Hopkins. My second choice entry for 2012

Well it’s that time again. The application process for Show me the Monet.  The show has been commissioned again by BBC2

and the aim is to invite artists from across the nation to submit their artwork and after three stages of selection decide who’s work to exhibit .

The Hanging Comittee (a panel of three renowned art experts) were searching for great art from both amateurs and professionals alike. The criteria  i) Originality of the

Work; (ii)Technical Skill of the Artist; and (iii) Emotional Response Evoked by the Work. Then the selection put into a new exhibition where members of the art establishment, together with members of the public, can view and buy the work. All the work at the exhibition will have a guide price attached but will be offered for sale by sealed offers- meaning that potential buyers will not know what anyone else has offered until the sale is over!  So a very interesting experiment.

At the end of last year I submitted my  application and chosen Image. I decided to send through one of my favourite images which is suitably entitled  “He aint Heavy”. It’s a picture of my son Joel holding up Alice’s pregnant Tummy the day before his brother Tom was born. Even though the image is 10 years old it has always held a prominent place in my portfolio. The team at Lucky day Tv, who are making the programme, rang me to say that they would like to invite me down to their studios near Shepherds Bush to do a screening. I wasn’t sure how I would react with 2 researchers machine gunning questions with a rather large film camera pointing at me but ” surprisingly” once I opened my mouth there was no stopping me!  Then, even after drenching the researchers with information,  the call came saying that I had made the final stage. This was the scary bit … facing the Hanging Committee. Three judges  Charlotte Mullins, David Lee and Roy Bolton ( see info at bottom of following blog)

I arrived at 3.30pm but didn’t do my presentation until 7pm.  There were so many technical issues to deal with and it certainly gave me an insight into how a Tv production is put together.  During the wait I met some interesting artists and their eclectic works. It was up to the Artist to present his/her Work before the Hanging Committee, who would decide whether to submit the Work to the Exhibition, based on the Judging Criteria set out above. The Hanging Committee would have seen the photograph of the Work(s) in advance of the day but will have had no other background information about the Work or the Artist. The Work would be subject to criticism and review and the Artist must be prepared to defend his/her Work and its value. The Hanging Committee would make a decision there and then whether to submit the Work to the Exhibition. So no pressure then !

Show me the Monet. My entry for last year "He Aint Heavy"

As I watched brilliant artists glumly walk down the stairs I realised I had no hope. All I had to offer was a photograph of my kids. I suspected I was due for crucifixion. They were even critical of technique in some cases. Strangely, I felt quite calm when it was my turn. The presenter of the show was my first port of call …That being Chris Hollins  BBC Breakfast’s sports presenter. A great character, very charming and that seemed to go very well. Then the Committee.  I had my shield and sword ready to defend my dignity and artwork but amazingly there was no need.  They were delightful and incredibly complimentary of my work. Even though they were preparing me for a unanimous no vote, I felt quite humbled as there were three renowned art experts all singing my praises. A great boost for the mojo!  It was more than worth the trip down in my eyes. Then the de- brief with Chris Hollins.  After such a pleasant unexpected experience I felt more than relaxed and then out I came with ” what do you know about Art ” to Chris knowing that his forte is sport. Chris being the consummate professional seamlessly cross referenced art to sport then after a  few well done’s and never mind laters I …I was off home. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Well I have entered again with my first selection being a portrait of Sir Anthony Hopkins taken at the Shaftesbury Theatre whilst he was performing M Butterfly. As my last years submission didn’t quite make it through due to the fact it was considered too personal, I thought famous megastar combined with a gritty strong image of him in his dressing room would be ideal. However, I realised it was taken a good fifteen years ago and I have been ” living ” off this image for perhaps too long. It was time for something new so I have submitted Titi T Rash my delightful drag queen pal. Maybe this is even more saleable as it is a strong black and white image and has plenty of emotion. It is a Drag Queen and not my kids this time. So wish me luck.

Show me the Monet. My entry for this year. " Titi"

The Hanging Commitee

Charlotte Mullins  art historian, critic and broadcaster. She studied at the Courtauld Institute of Art and Sotheby’s Institute in London and is currently completing her PhD. Charlotte has written widely on contemporary art and her book on figurative painting, Painting People, reveals her ongoing interest in representations of the human form. She has written for the Telegraph and Financial Times and appeared as a regular guest on BBC arts programmes such as The Culture Show and Front Row. She was a judge for the 2009 BP Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery and has been a selector for many exhibitions including the Jerwood Sculpture Prize, the Hunting Art Prize and the Discerning Eye exhibition. She has written two art books for children on the lives of great artists, published under the name Charlie Ayres, and is currently working on a follow-up book to Painting People for Thames & Hudson.Charlotte says: “I don’t judge art with preconceived favourite styles or media. I do have pet hates however: one is decoration masquerading as art – art should never be wallpaper – and another is when one art-form apes another for no reason.”

David Lee art critic and historian. He is currently editor of the satirical art magazine The Jackdaw, which he founded in 2000 and produces single-handed. Prior to this he was editor of Art Review for eight years. He also contributes regularly to newspapers such as The Independent, The Guardian, The Times and the Daily Mirror and is regularly interviewed on television and radio programmes. David studied History of Art at Nottingham University and University College, London, and was a tutor in Photography at the Royal College of Art. He has judged many national and local art competitions including the Hunting, NatWest, Royal Watercolour Society Awards and was a selector of The Discerning Eye exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London.He says of his own magazine: “By and large it’s pretty critical of many things including the art establishment. It combines serious commentary and slapstick entertainment while publishing opinions other art magazines are too restrained to entertain. Contemporary art is a lot more diverse than the art establishment would have us believe.”

Roy Bolton is an art historian and dealer. After studying in Ireland, San Francisco and Oxford he took over one of the Old Master paintings department for Christie’s auction house in London, where he valued, researched and sold thousands of paintings over the last decade. As an auction house expert and art dealer Roy daily critiques art works to assess their artistic and commercial merits, rediscovering nameless masters through the quality of the art they left behind. As a journalist Roy has written widely on contemporary art. As an auctioneer he has assessed thousands of paintings and as an art historian he has written half a dozen books on the history of paintings and artists, from the earliest times to the 21st century. Roy has curated many exhibitions, among them the Young Masters Art Prize, which he holds at his own gallery in London. He said recently: “I do not have have ‘dos and don’ts’ about how or why art is created. But art isn’t about just being creative – I can make an omelette out of broken glass, it might make me creative but it doesn’t make me a chef. Art can be anything and everything, except bad.”

Please leave me comments as to whether you think my final choice of Drag queen over Hollywood mega star was a good move and final switch!