We’re proud that Jackson’s Art Prize is now in its tenth year! To celebrate, we look back on some of the previous winners, the exciting milestones, and how the international prize has evolved over the years.
Celebrating 10 Years of Jackson’s Art Prize
The Beginnings of Jackson’s Art Prize
The inaugural Jackson’s Art Prize (then named Jackson’s Open Painting Prize) opened for submissions from all around the world in January 2016. Of the 3,100 entries we received, it was Max Naylor’s Gorge, an ink painting on paper, that was selected as the winner by the panel of expert judges.
Gorge, 2016
Max Naylor
Ink on paper, 66 x 101.6 cm | 25.9 x 40 in
For 2017’s prize, the first Material Award categories were introduced alongside the overall First, Second, and Third prizes. Chosen by four expert judges, they gave recognition to artists working with dry media, acrylic, watercolour, and oil paint. These categories are now a staple of the Art Prize and have been expanded over the years. In Jackson’s Art Prize 2025, there are eight Material Awards to be won, covering different media within painting, drawing, and printmaking.
Eniola Sokalu
Mark Roscoe
Oil on linen, 66 x 91.4 cm | 26 x 36 in
Growing Jackson’s Art Prize
The year 2018 was a turning point for Jackson’s Art Prize. In collaboration with the Affordable Art Fair, the prize changed from a purely digital project to having a physical exhibition showcasing the finalists’ work in a dedicated space at the Hampstead Affordable Art Fair in London. The fair was visited by over 20,000 people, giving the artists even more exposure and the opportunity to meet with visitors and fellow finalists.
The Jackson’s stand at the Affordable Art Fair, Hampstead, in 2018
That same year also saw the introduction of the People’s Choice Award, which allowed the public to vote on their favourite artworks on the longlist. The award has been a mainstay of the prize ever since.
In 2019, the prize collaborated with the Affordable Art Fair again to give shortlisted artists the opportunity to exhibit. The exhibition was accompanied by a panel talk featuring some of the artists involved in the competition. Four of the artworks in Jackson’s stand were purchased by buyers at the Fair, with thousands more viewing the exhibition. That year, Iain Nicholls was awarded First Prize with his oil painting Elsecar Canal.
Elsecar Canal, 2019
Iain Nicholls
Oil on canvas, 91 x 122 x 3 cm | 35.8 x 48 in
In 2020, with the UK in lockdown, we were unable to host a physical exhibition and Jackson’s Art Prize had to move back into the digital space. Conrad Clarke won the Emerging Artist Prize for his oil painting entry, Marina. In an interview, he told us how winning the prize gave him a boost during a difficult year:
“After a great start to the year, things very quickly changed and the rest of it started to look pretty bleak with exhibitions being cancelled and the country in lockdown. So, as you can imagine, winning the prize felt so perfectly timed. I have always been confident in my ability as an artist and trusted that I will eventually make a career out of it but sometimes your own convictions aren’t quite enough. Since winning the prize I have felt more motivated than ever.”
Marina, 2019
Conrad Clarke
Oil on canvas, 80 x 80 cm | 31.5 x 31.5 in
The winner of 2021’s Jackson’s Art Prize was Miranda Boulton with her painting After Rachel I, the first winning work in a still life tradition. She recalled how the £6000 prize facilitated her practice:
“I had been aware of the prize for a few years but this was the first year that I entered. I had it in my head, I made a note of the date, and I knew exactly which painting I was going to enter. So each time I got through a round I was so excited and grateful. I never thought I would win, and I have to admit I was absolutely flabbergasted. The prize money has made a huge difference to me, it’s taken a lot of pressure off me. It’s allowed me time in the studio to experiment and push my practice further.”
After Rachel I, 2020
Miranda Boulton
Oil and acrylic spray paint on canvas, 76 x 61 cm | 29.9 x 24.0
In 2022, Jackson’s Art Prize returned to the Affordable Art Fair in Hampstead for the first time since 2019. Works from nine winners and finalists from 2021 and 2022 were exhibited in a carefully curated dedicated stand. By the time the show closed, three artworks were sold to buyers. It was a wonderful return to an in-person exhibition, and a fantastic opportunity to bring together artists from across two years of the prize.
The winner of Jackson’s Painting Prize 2022, Lorena Levi, at the Affordable Art Fair
Jackson’s Art Prize 2023 came to a close with the first ever large-scale exhibition of shortlisted artworks at Bankside Gallery, London, titled Rising Artists. The exhibition was a great success, with artists flying in from all over the world to join us. Chris Longridge, winner of the Portrait Award in 2023, told us how he felt validated by the prize, and by the opportunity to show at Bankside Gallery:
“It feels amazing, it’s so validating for someone who didn’t come up in the traditional way as an artist. It makes you feel like ‘I am an artist, I really am one’, and I just won a prize, it’s incredible. I don’t get to exhibit on my own because I can’t afford to do a solo exhibition, and I don’t know enough other artists in my community where we can put on a group show. So an event like this is just fantastic for me.”
Venus and Cupid, 2023
Chris Longridge
Oil on panel, 72 x 60 cm | 28.3 x 23.6 in
In 2024, Jackson’s Art Prize received a staggering 15,345 submissions from 117 countries around the world. The prize expanded to include printmaking for the first time, with dedicated awards given to work made with intaglio, relief, and planographic techniques. We also established the Jackson’s Art Gallery, an online gallery that provides a platform for shortlisted artworks.
That same year, we returned to the Bankside Gallery for the second time to host an exhibition of 47 shortlisted and prize-winning paintings, drawings, and prints. Speaking at the opening night, Guest Judge Charlotte Sorapure reflected on the breadth of work on show at the exhibition:
“There’s a good range and a good collection here. There are so many different voices, each one valid. It’s just lovely to see quieter paintings and then bolder paintings, it all works.”
The Finalists’ Exhibition at Bankside Gallery, London, 2024
Looking to the Future of Jackson’s Art Prize
It’s a joy to reflect on the history of the Jackson’s Art Prize as it enters its tenth year. The prize has, in total, received 63,829 entries. Of those, 3,523 artworks have been longlisted, and 429 have been shortlisted. We’re proud to have been a part of those artists’ journeys, and we’re looking forward to meeting new artists in the future.
Jackson’s Art Prize 2025 is now open for submissions. This year sees 23 awards, an exciting Guest Judging Panel, an Extended Longlist and a longer shortlist, more recognised entries than ever, and an early bird entry price of just £5. Winning artists will be invited to exhibit at the Affordable Art Fair and at the Bankside Gallery.
While the prize has evolved over the last decade, the intentions behind it have remained the same; to bring together a community of creatives from around the world, and showcase the work of both emerging and established artists.
Further Reading
How We Collaborate With Artists
Jackson’s Art Prize 2024 Exhibition at the Affordable Art Fair
Art Fair Checklist for Artists
Expert Advice on Making Your Way as an Artist
Visit Jackson’s Art Prize website
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