Martin Gayford: Jackson’s Painting Prize 2023 Expert Judge Interview
Martin Gayford is an Artwork Critic for The Spectator and writer of guides on David Hockney, Antony Gormley and much more. He joins the pro judges panel for Jackson’s Painting Prize 2023 and right here, he shares his exhibition highlights of the earlier year and tips to all those contemplating about coming into the competitors this year.
Above graphic: Internet pages from Enjoy Lucian: The Letters of Lucian Freud 1939–1954, 2022 by Martin Gayford and David Dawson
Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your function?
Martin: I’m a writer, mostly about art. Above the several years I’ve been an artwork critic for numerous publications like the Day-to-day Telegraph, Sunday Telegraph and Spectator. Amongst my guides are biographic functions about Van Gogh, Michelangelo and Constable. I have composed routinely on David Hockney (which include two operates co-created with him) and Lucian Freud. Shaping the Entire world: Sculpture from Prehistory to Now (2020) was a collaboration with Antony Gormley. Spring Can’t Be Cancelled, co-written with David Hockney, appeared in 2021. My most current guide is Adore Lucian (2022), a selection of Lucian Freud’s early correspondence, co-edited with David Dawson. I’ve sat for portraits by equally Hockney and Lucian Freud.
Love Lucian – The Letters of Lucian Freud 1939–1954 2022
David Dawson and Martin Gayford
What have been your exhibition highlights of 2022? Who are the artists or artworks you ended up most motivated by this past yr?
Martin: Nicely, for me 2022 was a 12 months in which I used a lot of time organising exhibitions of which I was component of the curatorial crew such as Hockney’s Eye at the Fitzwilliam Museum and Downing School, Cambridge and Lucian Freud: The Painter and his Family members at the Freud Museum, London. Otherwise I was tremendously struck by the Freud exhibit at the Nationwide Gallery, Spouse and children Relations at Gagosian, and a selection of displays at the Venice Biennale.
Spring Can’t Be Cancelled: David Hockney in Normandy, 2022
David Hockney and Martin Gayford
How significant do you believe awards and competitions are for artists now?
Martin: Well, they are undoubtedly element of the recreation, but artwork is not the identical as activity – and it is vital to don’t forget that the most effective particular person does not necessarily earn.
The Pursuit of Art: Travels, Encounters and Revelations, 2019
Martin Gayford
What will you be seeking for in the entries submitted to the competition this year?
Martin: Originality, visual sensitivity and pizazz.
Shaping the Entire world: Sculpture from Prehistory to Now, 2020
Antony Gormley and Martin Gayford
Do you have any suggestions for artists out there contemplating about coming into Jackson’s Portray Prize this 12 months?
Martin: The most critical information for any artist (or writer) is to retain at it.
