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| Last updated: November 24, 2005 |
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Contemporary painting unpopular? Liverpool’s Walker Art Gallery hosts the John Moores exhibition of contemporary painting, which takes place every two years. This is the 24th time the competition has been held. “The John Moores exhibition aims to present the best new painting being produced in Britain.” said National Museums Liverpool in a press release. “Despite predictions that painting is no longer the medium of choice for today’s cutting edge artists, the John Moores prize exhibition, generously supported by the Moores family, continues to demonstrate that painting is still one of the liveliest and most creative options open to today’s artists.” said Julian Treuherz, Keeper of Art Galleries. “I don’t like contemporary paintings to be honest. I’ve just started an art course and I’m more interested in traditional paintings.” said Mel Scott, an Art student. "I don't think there's any real talent in contemporary paintings. Traditional artists like Picasso and Van Gough had talent. Now, anybody can just paint a single line or squiggle on an empty canvas and pass it off as a contemporary painting." Said builder James Hunter. "I'm not a big fan of contemporary paintings, but I would go to a contemporary painting exhibition if it were convenient. It would be an interesting time to spend my free time. It wouldn't be a priority though." Said shop assistant Kim Lee. However, in a press release National Museums Liverpool said: “Next year’s exhibition looks set to be the most exciting show ever.” Artists entering John Moores 24 are required to submit a slide of their painting by March 2006. Those whose slides have been short-listed will have to send in the paintings during the second week of May 2006, and these paintings will be displayed in the Walker Art Gallery from the 16th of September, to the 26th of November 2006. The winner of the first prize will receive £25,000 and there are four runner-up prizes of £2,500 each. The winners will be chose by the John Moores 24 jury, which consists of artists Peter Blake and Tracey Emin, Curator of Fine Art Ann Bukantas, and Former John Moores Prizewinner Jason Brooks. A Fifth Juror will be announced later. There is also visitors’ choice prize of £1,000.
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The Call to Artists for the biggest contemporary painting competition in Britain has just gone out.
However, locals of the Capital of Culture aren’t showing much interest in contemporary paintings. 
National Museums Liverpool’s Press Officer, Stephen Guy, said it was too early to determine John Moores 24’s success.