LONDON.- After a record number of entries,
three
artists have been short-listed for the BP Portrait Award at the National
Portrait Gallery, one of Britain’s most prestigious
international art prizes. This year the prize received 2,177 entries, an
increase of over 276 on last year. For the fourth year, the competition
has been
open to all aged 18 or over. 58 portraits have been selected for the
exhibition
at the National Portrait Gallery which runs from 24 June until 19
September
2010. The Portrait Award, now in its 31st year at the National
Portrait
Gallery and 21st year of sponsorship by BP, is a highly successful
annual event
aimed at encouraging artists to focus upon, and develop, the theme of
painted
portraiture within their work.