John Wonnacott - Painter

Red Tablecloth Two, Oyster Eaters, John Wonnacott, 1996-99

"What I’m really trying to do is to bridge this gap between my own world of feelings, thoughts and ideas and that world out there. When it works, when one reaches the point of balance between them, it’s a wonderful thing." - excerpt, Ray Atkins in conversation with John Wonnacott

John Wonnacott was born in London in 1940. He trained at the Slade School from 1958-63 before moving to Southend in Essex where he still lives and paints in a studio overlooking the Thames Estuary. - John Wonnacott Online Gallery

His paintings and drawings are known for their panoramic and unexpected pictorial space which is a dynamic of working from direct observation.

Link Interview, Ray Atkins in conversation with John Wonnacott

Link John Wonnacott Online Gallery

Link Slade School of Art

The Threadneedle Prize for Painting and Sculpture

Self Portrait by Sheila Wallis, Threadneedle Prize Winner, 2009

(UK.) Artists are invited to submit representational and figurative work that retains a strong reference to the real world...Work must be based on observation, rather than concept or abstraction. All themes are admissible; traditional as well as innovative interpretations are both welcome...

Two major prizes are available: The Threadneedle Prize (£25,000) and the new Federation of British Artists Emerging Artist Prize (£5,000). Each of the six runners-up for The Threadneedle Prize receive £1,000.

The competition is open to all artists - established and emerging talent - aged 18 and over, living or working in the UK. Approximately 60 works, selected from a national open submission, will be exhibited at the Mall Galleries, London in September 2009.

To view 2009 submissions and prize winners, click on the link below.

Link The Threadneedle Prize for Painting and Sculpture