Self-taught artist Jiab Prachakul wins BP portrait award - SKETCHLINE

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Self-taught artist Jiab Prachakul wins BP portrait award

Friday, May 8 — 3:32 pm




Portrait of two friends in a Berlin bar by Thai-born artist Jiab Prachakul received BP portrait award.

The painting was called “an evocative portrait of a fleeting moment in time”, which gives an idea of someone else’s life, which is “beautiful, mysterious and alive.” The judges also praised his bold composition and clever use of contrasting forms.

1981 works from 69 countries took part in the competition.
Jiab Prachakul received a prize of 35,000 pounds. The second place worth £ 12,000 was awarded to Sergei Svetlakov, and the third prize of £ 10,000 went to Michael Eads, who works at the National Gallery of Scotland.

One of the most prestigious awards in the world of art is criticized because of their general sponsor – the oil company British Petroleum. Due to public pressure on the award, for the first time since 1997, there was no BP representative on the panel of judges.