Local artist reachesOne Show art final

Last month The One Show launched their summer competition to find the best amateur artists in the UK and they will be showcasing some of the best original amateur art in the country in London and Manchester.

The artworks are divided into two categories “Paintings” and “Drawings” and Coleraine artist Barry has been told that his painting, “Surf at Castlerock” has reached the last 12 in the paintings category.

In August the 12 works will be again be judged to find the last four works in each category.

Then a further selection will be made to find the final two paintings and drawings.

These four artists will then be asked to complete a new artwork on a given subject and will be filmed in their studios as their work progresses.

A delighted Barry told The Coleraine Times “I’m just very surprised, my sister suggested that I enter something otherwise I wouldn’t have.

“I didn’t expect to get anywhere but I’m glad that I did. I’m just off for a painting holiday to the USA and won’t get back until August 2.

“The second stage of judging will take place soon after that and I will just have to remain on tenterhooks until then”.

Barry has painted since childhood and first exhibited in his home town with the Derry Art Society in 1960. Since then he has had a career in business and having now retired to Coleraine he has time to catch up on his painting.

First round entries were judged by The One Show art team using the following criteria: Originality; Composition;

Control and use of the medium (painting or drawing; and ability to interpret the brief. Twenty-four works go forward to the next round (12 paintings and 12 drawings).

These will be exhibited at the Open Centre, Media City UK, Salford from Thursday 25 July. These works will then be judged by a panel consisting of artists and curators to decide the four grand finalists.