The Ruth Borchard Self Portrait Prize 2021
The Self-Portrait Prize online exhibition presents the long-list of highly commended self-portraits submitted to the 2021 Prize.
The artworks on display have been selected by the 2021 Prize Judging Panel for their creative and distinguished contribution to the genre. The panel of judges this year included the BBC Arts Editor Will Gompertz, the Director of the Science Museum Sir Ian Blatchford, High Court Judge Mrs Justice Cheema Grubb, renowned gallerist Victoria Miro, the 2019 Ruth Borchard Self-Portrait Prize winner David Dawson and Ruth Borchard’s son Richard Borchard.
Showcasing over two hundred self-portraits the exhibition explores the diverse media and imagery through which contemporary artists represent themselves. Including works by internationally recognised artists, advanced postgraduates and some at the very beginning of their artistic studies it reveals the enduring presence of self-portraiture in artistic practices.
17th May - 30th Sept 2021
“I have always been interested in the balance between abstract and representational methods of painting so I will often use a subject as a starting point and then concentrate on it as an exercise in paint and layers and line and colour. In this self portrait you can see I am not keen on being front and centre, I am used to being behind the canvas, so self portraiture is always an interesting exercise in reluctantly scrutinising myself.”
