The ING Discerning Eye is calling for entries for a brand-new edition in 2020. The exhibition’s new format gives artists the opportunity to showcase their work in a unique virtual gallery and win a range of prizes, including the ING Purchase Prize worth £5,000, as well as specific medium and regional awards.
As a result of COVID 19, The ING Discerning Eye Exhibition is showcased in a new virtual format. The coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing lockdown have rapidly driven sales online and pushed the art world to make a transformative shift towards virtual galleries.
As a result, for the first time in its history, this year’s edition of the ING Discerning Eye will be held 100% virtually, helping artists display their work in this new era.
The Exhibition The ING Discerning Eye Exhibition is a show of small works renowned for its unique curatorial approach. A panel of six prominent figures from the art world – two artists, two collectors and two critics – select small artworks in any medium for the annual exhibition.
Established in the UK in 1990, the Discerning Eye is an educational charity dedicated to encouraging a wider understanding and appreciation of the visual arts, as well as stimulating debate about both the place and purpose of art in our society and the contribution each one of us can make to its development.
Proudly supported by ING for over two decades, the partnership is one of the longest-running commercial sponsorships of the arts in the UK. Since it began, 3,000 artists have been exhibited, more than 10,000 works have been showcased, £250,000 has been awarded in prize money to exhibiting artists, and £900,000 worth of art has been sold on behalf of the artists.
A new online submission process will run until 1 October 2020, making it even easier for artists from across the UK to submit their work and take part. A virtual gallery will open on 18 November and run until 31 December 2020 showcasing the artists’ shortlisted works with commentary and introductions by the selectors and a new platform for viewers to buy the artwork directly.
With the show running until Christmas, and all works being available for sale, the ING Discerning Eye 2020 will allow artists to reach new audiences and connect them with collectors around the world.
The 2020 selectors that have been announced include David Remfry RA and Beverley Knight.
A panel of six prominent art world figures – two artists, two collectors and two critics – select works of art for the yearly exhibition.
Each selector makes their choices independently, giving them the opportunity to champion and celebrate talented artists and resulting in the curation of six smaller exhibitions within the whole.
Though they sit together on a panel, each selector makes their choices independently, resulting in the curation of six smaller exhibitions within the whole. The exhibition has been proudly supported by ING since 1999 in one of the longest-running commercial sponsorships of the arts in the UK.
This year’s selectors include:
• Artist Dale Lewis: Inspired by contemporary urban life, Dale has exhibited his work in renowned galleries including Saatchi Gallery and Edel Assanti and has been featured in publications such as Dazed, Frieze, and The New York Times.
• Artist David Remfry RA: David has shown in over 50 international solo exhibitions at MoMA P.S.1, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Victoria & Albert Museum, plus produced commissions for Stella McCartney and for Absolut Vodka.
• Collector Beverley Knight: Known as the “queen of British soul”, Beverley Knight MBE is a recording artist and musical theatre actress whose career spans over 25 years.
• Collector Mervyn Metcalf: A banker by trade, Mervyn is an art collector by passion. His collection includes works by Ryan McGinley, Sam Mckinniss, Matthew Stone, TM Davy, Eric Yahnker and Stuart Sandford.
• Critic Jo Baring: Jo is the Director of the Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art, a board member of Women of the Year, a fellow at the RSA, and a trustee at Artists’ Collecting Society and ArtCan.
• Critic Tabish Khan: Known as the “people’s art critic”, Tabish is the visual arts editor for Londonist and a regular contributor to FAD. He aims to demystify exhibitions and make art accessible.
To show their work to this prestigious panel, exhibit their art online, and win a range of cash prizes, artists are invited to enter online by 1 October 2020, 5pm. They can submit up to six works across a variety of media: paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, photographs and films are all accepted. Works must be for sale and must not exceed 50cm (20”) in any dimension.
Enter online until 1 October, 5pm: thediscerningeye.artopps.co.uk Key dates:
• Thursday 1 October: entries close
• Wednesday 18 November: exhibition opens
• Thursday 31 December: exhibition closes
The ING Discerning Eye Exhibition, famous for its unique selection process, is an annual show of small works renowned for both its commitment to championing emerging artists and its unique curatorial approach.
Some of the artwork comes from artists who are personally invited by a particular selector; some is selected through an open submission process, allowing emerging artists to exhibit alongside established names.
Now more than ever, the ING Discerning Eye is committed to helping artists increase their visibility among peers and collectors and to giving creatives a platform to grow through the show’s virtual format.
To keep up to date with the latest news and announcements, follow them on social media and join the conversation using #INGDiscEye and #INGDiscerningEye.
