‘King of the Chips’ longlisted for BTA Art Prize 2024

I’m pleased to share that my artwork, ‘King of the Chips’, has been longlisted for the BTA 2024 Art Prize! It’s an incredible honor to be recognised by Behind The Artist (BTA), a platform dedicated to championing creativity and fostering connections within the art community.

BTA is driven by the belief that understanding the artist’s story can deepen our connection to their work. Through insightful interviews, they bring those stories to life, building a community where artists, collectors, students, and enthusiasts can connect and grow together.

I’m so grateful to have ‘King of the Chips’ recognised in a setting that values the deeper meaning and stories behind artistic expression. For those unfamiliar with the piece, ‘King of the Chips’ is a playful yet thought-provoking exploration of the unexpected moments where the mundane and the majestic meet.

This piece was heavily inspired by a trip to Brighton, where I was on a school trip with a group of art students. Many of my students had not been to Brighton before, and they quickly learnt that an idyllic waterfront picnic comes in a package deal with mischievous seagulls. I couldn’t resist snapping a photograph of one seagull sat smugly on a nearby lamppost after making off with some chips, and the idea for ‘King of the Chips’ started to take shape. A range of radiant blues swirl together in the background, reminiscent of the ever-shifting wind and sea by the coast. The colour palette focuses on blues, yellows, and white, evoking the warmth of a clear sunny sky with fluffy clouds from nostalgic memories of British Summertime.

The smug Brighton seagull behind the painting!