Life’s a Beach ~ Jacqueline Hammond Acrylics on board, W: 31 H: 82 D: 3 cm
Less than a week to go before handing in Jacqueline Hammond‘s Life’s a Beach painting for the second round of judging in the National Open Art Competition. There is a chance to take part people’s vote #worldartvote. The artwork with the most votes will be revealed in early September, win the £1,000 prize sponsored by MS Amlin and despite the judges decision in Round 2, be exhibited in the 21st National Open Art Exhibition
Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf, Southbank, London from 17 – 26 November 2017 (Free Admission)
Life’s a Beach ~ Jacqueline Hammond Acrylics on board, W: 31 H: 82 D: 3 cm
Explore, Discover, Discuss . . . Launch 2 August 2017
The National Open Art World Art Vote sponsored by MS Amlin is a celebration honouring the democratic nature of the National Open Art Competition, which is judged anonymously on talent, not connections and results in an exhibition of 100% of the open entries – not one ‘invited’ artist.
We have created the World Art Vote so YOU can have your say and vote for your favourite work or artist. We welcome you to engage, browse and support the shortlisted artists by voting for one, or as many of your favourites as you wish*. The artwork with the most votes will be revealed in early September, win the £1,000 prize sponsored by MS Amlin and despite the judges decision in Round 2, be exhibited in the 21st National Open Art Exhibition at Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf, Southbank, London from 17 – 26 November 2017 (Free Admission) and in the Winners’ Exhibition at Pallant House Gallery, Chichester 6 – 17 December 2017.
Although we publish the artwork anonymously, we do also encourage the artists to take the opportunity to promote themselves!
MS Amlin is a global speciality commercial insurer and reinsurer operating in the Lloyd’s, UK, Continental European and Bermudian markets. Wholly owed by MS&AD of Japan and with its origins in the Lloyd’s market, MS Amlin’s successful underwriting formula incorporates a dynamic approach to risk through empowered and skilled people and a diverse global portfolio.
*multiple votes on an individual artwork, from your email, will count as one only.
Life’s a Beach ~ Jacqueline Hammond Acrylics on board, W: 31 H: 82 D: 3 cm
Less than a week to go before handing in Jacqueline Hammond‘s Life’s a Beach painting for the second round of judging in the National Open Art Competition.
National Open Art (NOA) is one of the UK’s leading art competitions, open to amateur and professional artists in the UK and Ireland. Since our first competition and exhibition in 1996, we’ve grown to offer multiple prizes that recognise talent and artistic excellence in a broad variety of artistic mediums and styles. Our panel of judges changes annually and features some of the most experienced and influential figures in the art world, from Royal Academicians to critics, curators and professionals.
The Judging Process of the National Open Art Competitions
The democratic nature of our competition is what we are most proud of. Why? Because it’s fair. And that’s what we believe in here at NOA.
So, what do we mean by judged anonymously? When we greet our judges at the venue for round one, we will invite them to sit together in front of a big screen on which each submission is projected. The only information they are given is the high resolution submission image (which can be magnified), the title of the piece, the dimension, the scale (demonstrated using a small stick figurine to the bottom left hand side of the screen), the medium, and the artists’ statement for context (in case they wish to learn more about the context of the piece). In the second round, they see only the work in the flesh – no title or statement, unless they specifically ask for them.
They do not know who the artists are, whether you are male or female, how old you are, where in the UK or Ireland you come from or live, your background, your education or your training, if any. We do not brief the judges and we do not dictate any percentage or quota for each category (e.g. painting, photography, drawing or young artists’ work). The only condition we ask of our judges is that if they recognise an artist they know or are familiar with, that they make their position known and withdraw from the selection process of that piece, leaving the decision to the remaining panel.
It is a totally organic process harnessed strictly by our judging panel alone. The NOA team are strictly prohibited from commenting on any of the decision process in both rounds and during the prize selection. It is only at the absolute end of the process when the judges are assessing their final selection (which are displayed in the exhibition) that the name of the artist is revealed and thus their gender – always a very exciting moment!
Hughie O’Donoghue was born in Manchester in 1953 and now lives and works in London and Co Mayo, Ireland .
Solo museum exhibitions include Seven Halts on the Somme, Leighton House Museum, London, 2016, Painting/Memory:Artist’s Laboratory, Royal Academy, London, A Moment’s Liberty, Abbot Hall Gallery, Kendal, 2012, The Road, DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, Prague, Czech Republic 2011, The Journey, Leeds City Art Gallery, 2009, Lost Histories: Imagined Realities Gemeentemuseum, The Hague, Netherlands and Parables Centre Culturel Irlandais, Paris, France 2008.
His work is in public collections throughout the world including Art Gallery of South Australia, British Museum, London, Dallas Museum of Art, USA, The Hugh Lane, Dublin, The Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin, Michigan Museum of Art, USA, Ulster Museum, Belfast, Yale Center for British Art, New Haven USA.
He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from University College Cork, Ireland in 2005 and was elected to the Royal Academy, London in 2009 and Aosdana in 2013.
McAdam Freud was educated at Central School of Art, The Royal College of Art and Goldsmith’s College. She won the British Art Medal Scholarship in Rome in 1986 and the European Trebbia Award for artistic achievement in 2014. In 2016 Jane McAdam Freud was selected to membership of the RCA Court
Her works are permanently on show at the Victoria and Albert Museum and can be seen by appointment at the British Museum. She is represented in several national and international public collections including the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford and Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, Tate Gallery Audio Archives, National Gallery archives, The National Museum of Ireland, National Gallery of Greece and Berlin State Museum.
Born 1st November 1985 in London, UK.
Studied a Foundation course in Art & Design at City & Guilds Art School and a graduate from Middlesex University with a B.A. (Hon)s in Fine Art.
From as early as he could remember, Kelvin Okafor has always been an emotional and highly sensitive individual. Inspired, touched and captivated by almost everything in his immediate surroundings. Around the age of 8, Okafor vividly remembers having a love and strong fascination for drawing with pencils. He found the instrument to be a humble one and would often use the expression ‘aliveness’ to describe it’s technical and sentimental value. What fascinated him most about pencils was that with single shades of lead, he could create tones and textures so defined and so abstract, an illusion of colour would be formed before him. He became heavily inspired by this notion and spent most of his early years trying to utilise its technical use.
The style in which Okafor creates his portraits is known as Hyper-realism. Art Critic, Estelle Lovatt describes his work as ‘Emotional Realism’. She mentions how the work of Okafor goes beyond being just ‘Photorealist’ drawings, and instead coins the term Emotional Realism to describe the affective nature of his artwork.
Ultimately, Okafor intends to create art that prompts an emotional response to viewers. A response that arouses the feelings of enchantment, reflection, stillness and awareness.
Other judges include gallery director Cynthia Corbett, photographer Zelda Cheatle and filmmakers Elaine Pyke and Adam Saward.
All artwork is judged strictly anonymously on talent, not connections and results in an exhibition of 100% of the open entries – not one ‘invited’ artist. By entering your work, you’ll be in with a chance of winning part of a £60,000 prize fund and being showcased in prestigious exhibitions in London and beyond.
There is a chance to take part in the people’s vote #worldartvote. The artwork with the most votes will be revealed in early September, win the £1,000 prize sponsored by MS Amlin and despite the judges decision in Round 2, be exhibited in the 21st National Open Art ExhibitionBargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf, Southbank, London from 17 – 26 November 2017 (Free Admission) and in the Winners’ Exhibition at Pallant House Gallery, Chichester 6 – 17 December 2017.. Vote for my painting ‘Life’s a Beach’ in the #worldartvote now.
Voting ends Monday 28th August. 2nd Round of Judging Tuesday 29th August
Life’s a Beach ~ Jacqueline Hammond Acrylics on board, W: 31 H: 82 D: 3 cm
Explore, Discover, Discuss . . . Launch 2 August 2017
The National Open Art World Art Vote sponsored by MS Amlin is a celebration honouring the democratic nature of the National Open Art Competition, which is judged anonymously on talent, not connections and results in an exhibition of 100% of the open entries – not one ‘invited’ artist.
We have created the World Art Vote so YOU can have your say and vote for your favourite work or artist. We welcome you to engage, browse and support the shortlisted artists by voting for one, or as many of your favourites as you wish*. The artwork with the most votes will be revealed in early September, win the £1,000 prize sponsored by MS Amlin and despite the judges decision in Round 2, be exhibited in the 21st National Open Art Exhibition at Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf, Southbank, London from 17 – 26 November 2017 (Free Admission) and in the Winners’ Exhibition at Pallant House Gallery, Chichester 6 – 17 December 2017.
Although we publish the artwork anonymously, we do also encourage the artists to take the opportunity to promote themselves!
MS Amlin is a global speciality commercial insurer and reinsurer operating in the Lloyd’s, UK, Continental European and Bermudian markets. Wholly owed by MS&AD of Japan and with its origins in the Lloyd’s market, MS Amlin’s successful underwriting formula incorporates a dynamic approach to risk through empowered and skilled people and a diverse global portfolio.
*multiple votes on an individual artwork, from your email, will count as one only.
Life’s a Beach ~ Jacqueline Hammond Acrylics on board, W: 31 H: 82 D: 3 cm
NOA – National Art Open – The Great Art Prize Open to All
The leading independent art prize featuring a diverse cross section of the brightest British and Irish contemporary art, photography and film of 2017. Shortlisted artists stand a chance of winning part of a £60,000 prize fund and being showcased in prestigious exhibitions in London and beyond.
Slideshow of details taken from Jacqueline Hammond’s Life’s a Beach painting which depicts a bird’s eye view of Brighton beach on the South coast of England.
All artwork is judged strictly anonymously on talent, not connections and results in an exhibition of 100% of the open entries – not one ‘invited’ artist. By entering your work, you’ll be in with a chance of winning part of a £60,000 prize fund and being showcased in prestigious exhibitions in London and beyond.
There is a chance to take part in the people’s vote #worldartvote. The artwork with the most votes will be revealed in early September, win the £1,000 prize sponsored by MS Amlin and despite the judges decision in Round 2, be exhibited in the 21st National Open Art ExhibitionBargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf, Southbank, London from 17 – 26 November 2017 (Free Admission) and in the Winners’ Exhibition at Pallant House Gallery, Chichester 6 – 17 December 2017.. Vote for my painting ‘Life’s a Beach’ in the #worldartvote now.
Voting ends Monday 28th August. 2nd Round of Judging Tuesday 29th August
Life’s a Beach ~ Jacqueline Hammond Acrylics on board, W: 31 H: 82 D: 3 cm
Explore, Discover, Discuss . . . Launch 2 August 2017
The National Open Art World Art Vote sponsored by MS Amlin is a celebration honouring the democratic nature of the National Open Art Competition, which is judged anonymously on talent, not connections and results in an exhibition of 100% of the open entries – not one ‘invited’ artist.
We have created the World Art Vote so YOU can have your say and vote for your favourite work or artist. We welcome you to engage, browse and support the shortlisted artists by voting for one, or as many of your favourites as you wish*. The artwork with the most votes will be revealed in early September, win the £1,000 prize sponsored by MS Amlin and despite the judges decision in Round 2, be exhibited in the 21st National Open Art Exhibition at Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf, Southbank, London from 17 – 26 November 2017 (Free Admission) and in the Winners’ Exhibition at Pallant House Gallery, Chichester 6 – 17 December 2017.
Although we publish the artwork anonymously, we do also encourage the artists to take the opportunity to promote themselves!
MS Amlin is a global speciality commercial insurer and reinsurer operating in the Lloyd’s, UK, Continental European and Bermudian markets. Wholly owed by MS&AD of Japan and with its origins in the Lloyd’s market, MS Amlin’s successful underwriting formula incorporates a dynamic approach to risk through empowered and skilled people and a diverse global portfolio.
*multiple votes on an individual artwork, from your email, will count as one only.
Very exciting news – The painting I submitted has been shortlisted for #thegreatartprize #NOA17 and as one of the 500 shortlisted works will go through to the second round of judging for The National Art Open Competition
Dear Jacqueline,
We are absolutely delighted to announce that your submission listed below has been shortlisted by our panel of judges for the second round on 29 August 2017. Very many congratulations from us all here at NOA National Art Open
The search continues for the best artistic talent of 2017
We’re searching for the best British and Irish contemporary art, photography and moving image of 2017. This year’s judging panel consists of Royal Academician Hughie O͛Donoghue, artist Jane McAdam Freud, former NOA winner Kelvin Okafor, gallery director Cynthia Corbett, photographer Zelda Cheatle and filmmakers Elaine Pyke and Adam Saward. All artwork is judged strictly anonymously on talent, not connections and results in an exhibition of 100% of the open entries – not one ‘invited’ artist. By entering your work, you’ll be in with a chance of winning part of a £60,000 prize fund and being showcased in prestigious exhibitions in London and beyond. Submit your work today, or read on for more information.
“NOA is a wonderful platform for artists, a truly open competition, offering the opportunity not only for artists to exhibit their work in first class venues but the chance of being recognised and the possibility of being selected for one of the many prizes. The competition itself gives a real ͚snapshot of current practice in the UK and Ireland.” – Hughie O͛Donoghue RA – 2017 Chair Judge
EXHIBITIONS
21st National Open Art Exhibition 17 – 26 November 2017 Announced
A vast, untouched four-storey industrial building will host the 21st National Open Art Exhibition. Bargehouse is an exciting atmospheric space on London’s fast moving South Bank and Bankside areas and sister building to the iconic landmark, Oxo Tower which stands proud on the cultural path between the National Theatre and Tate Modern. This big blank canvas will be transformed into a contemporary gallery space to showcase a cross-section of the very best British and Irish contemporary art of 2017. Enter the 21st National Open Art Competition here or read on to learn more…
A programme of events will be taking place during the exhibition with collaborations between NOA Vice President Gavin Turk and Deborah Turk’s House of Fairy Tales along with Be Smart About Art, Explore Learning and more to be announced. Sign up to be the first to know our lastest news here.
Royal Academician Hughie O’Donoghue, artist Jane McAdam Freud, former NOA winner Kelvin Okafor, gallery director Cynthia Corbett, influential photographer Zelda Cheatle and filmmakers Elaine Pyke and Adam Saward are to judge the 21st National Open Art Competition. Read more about our judges here.
Professional and amateur artists aged 15 and over can now submit work to the main 2017 competition. Each entry is judged anonymously, making the competition one of the most democratic in the UK and Ireland operating today.
This year’s finalists will be exhibited at the 21st National Open Art Exhibition at Bargehouse Oxo Tower Wharf on Southbank in London this Autumn where the prizewinners will be announced. The 500 long-listed entries from this year’s competition will be anonymously published after the first round of judging for the World Art Vote where the public can view the works and have their say by voting for their favorite on the NOA website.
Festival goers getting into the spirit of Glastonbury 2017
It’s that time of year. Summer is here and its festival season in the U.K where it all kicks off with the best festival going – Glastonbury! Get your tie-dye on hippies!
Smart Deco have just returned from perhaps one of the greatest shows on earth. A lot of work, commitment and creativity goes into the spectacle that is Glastonbury Festival and after over 20 years we always come back for more festival fun, in the blazing hot sun this year!
The Other Stage and mass spectacle that is Glastonbury Festival
The mother of all festivals, Glastonbury is probably the UK’s biggest success story. The festival scene has thrived in the last couple of decades, enabling a whole economy and platform to grow out of it.
It is truly a festival of the performing arts with the very best music, theatre, dance, art and everything you can’t possibly imagine in between.
As well as the cool brand of festival frolics and fun to be had, the issues raised by the free festival movement that became Glastonbury and the other few hundred festivals going on this summer, are now on the agenda. Everyone wants to be there, it’s a festival for everyone. People are waking up and heading up the Green Fields to the Stone Circle.
Festival goers getting into the spirit of Glastonbury 2017
People are switching on (the TV at home if they can’t get in), tuning in (to the beat – ‘is that coming from Arcadia or is it Block 9’) passing through Babylon and dropping their organically reared children off at the Kids Field so they can have a dance.
Where is Lost Vagueness? Too late, that must be over 10 years ago now. It’s Shangri-La now.
Yogurt weavers, tree-huggers, eco-warriors, rainbow warriors, hippies, tramps and theives unite! All the fun of the (un) fairground is here.
The word is out and it has spread….
This year may well have seen a member of parliament push to the front of the global stage to represent a version of the collective ethos of the festival communities, in the form of Jeremy Corbyn who holds the work of long-term campaigning groups such as CND and Greenpeace to heart – bloody hippy! But there’s still a long way to go before we can live like it’s Glastonbury festival all year round!
What was once considered ‘alternative culture’ the art, music and even political, ethical and ‘green’ issues have infiltrated to become mainstream, celebrated by the media with their guides to summer’s best festivals. Glastonbury tickets sell out in seconds, its become a lottery to get on this page of the summer social calendar. In recent years even high society and royalty can deal with the great unwashed, or get their Jaguar stuck in the mud for the golden ticket to Glastonbury Festival.
The state of the crowd at the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival 2017
The Smart Deco team were ‘out in the field’ making Smartylamps on site, working at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset creating décor for the main stage tents in the Theatre and Circus Fields.
Glastonbury Festival Theatre and Circus Fields
Glastonbury Festival Theatre and Circus Fields
Glastonbury Festival Theatre and Circus Fields
The Theatre and Circus Fields make up a central and essential part of the fun to be had at the legendary festival.
With 8 main stage and 4 riser stages with 100s of walkabout performances, ground shows, installations, workshops and more……
The circus big style marquees hold performances by leading theatre, cabaret and performing arts acts, and they are huge!
Our Smartylamps lights looked amazing in this huge tent at this year’s Glastonbury Festival
Smart Deco at Glastonbury Festival 2017 – The Astrolabe Theatre Tent
Smartylamps have been lighting up the big circus tent marquees for many years at Glastonbury Festival.
We have lots of photos to share of this year’s Glastonbury Festival. Stay posted for more…
“Calling all press, festival production organisers, event managers, promoters and party planners!”
HIRE SMARTYLAMPS FOR YOUR FESTIVAL, VENUE, PARTY or EVENT
Light decor installations to suit all budgets and venues.
On site build – we can supply installations for dry hire or purchase
Wide range of designs and suitable for both venue decor and as lighting.
The combination of lights are easily customised to suit many purposes
“Calling all press, festival production, stage lighting, event organisers, event managers, promoters and party planners!”
Smart Deco supply Smarty Lamps as decor for big top tents and marquees- Light Installations in numerous shapes and sizes – Dry hire and purchase options to suit all events, weddings, parties, festivals and venues.
Smartylamps light decor for events
Smartylamps light decor for events
Smartylamps light decor for events
Smartylamps light decor for events
Smartylamps light decor for events
The SmartyLamp installations are assembled from flat packed pieces which we recycle and re-use time and time again for festivals, parties and events throughtout the summer season and the rest of the year. Dry hire and purchase options for any size venue, function or event.
This way they are easily transported and stored to be reused specifically for hire to decorate interiors of marquees and stage venue light installation décor at major events, productions and shows around the world.
Therefore the installations can be created on-site in a short timescale, ready to be hung by crew before the event starts.
Main stage or marquee, grand hall or backstage bar. Smartylamps are versatile with numerous ways to use them. Simply stunning and practical as décor they light up the vast roof of the tent. and can be hung in clusters or spread to light the whole space, from the stage to the king pole, hung above the audience, in light string festoons to the exits, entrances to the marquee, filling the roof space, the sides, dining area, dance floor, bar or public area.
