Royal Portrait Society annual open exhibition

Entries are still open for the RP Critical Writing Prize, inviting writers, artists, students, and anyone with a passion for portraiture to explore the ideas, questions, and practices surrounding contemporary portrait painting. The prize seeks fresh, engaging perspectives on what portraiture means today, the relationship between artist and sitter, identity and representation, and the balance between tradition and contemporary practice. Three entrants will be shortlisted to develop their essays, with £500 awarded for the First Prize and two £250 Special Mentions. The three winning essays will also be published in the RP Annual Exhibition Catalogue 2027, sharing your writing with an audience of artists, collectors, and art enthusiasts. There are no formal qualifications or previous writing experience required, and entry is completely free. Essays must be written in English and can explore any aspect of contemporary portrait painting.