A brand new series of Landscape Artist of the Year is underway on Sky Arts – and Bristol’s best views are the artistic subject of not one but two episodes in the show’s tenth anniversary series!
Episode three of the new series aired last night (5th February) featuring the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge, whilst episode six (due to air on 26th February) will feature Bristol’s beautiful Harbourside in Hotwells.
Filming for the two episodes took place last summer with support from Bristol Film Office. Stephen Mangan returns to host joined by judges, award winning portrait artist Tai Shan Schierenberg, curator Kathleen Soriano and art historian Kate Bryan.
This series showcases a diverse range of landscapes, challenging participating artists to depict some of the most striking and complex views in the UK. Other featured locations include the dramatic Llanberis Lake at the base of Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon), the historic grounds of Hampton Court Palace and the newly redeveloped St. Pancras Basin.
In each heat, eight artists create a painting within a four-hour timeframe. Judges Tai Shan Schierenberg, Kathleen Soriano and Kate Bryan carefully evaluate the works to determine who advances to the semi-final. Additionally, 50 wildcard entrants will join the competition, showcasing their creativity and technique in each location. From these participants, one standout wildcard artist will also progress to the semi-final, where they will compete alongside the eight heat winners at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
The final challenge (airing 12th March) will take the top three artists to one of Britain’s most iconic landmarks – and another West Country gem – Stonehenge, where they will vie for the title of Landscape Artist of the Year. The winner will receive a £10,000 commission for the prestigious Courtauld Gallery in London and the opportunity to create a landscape in the south of France, following in the footsteps of the Monet, Manet and Van Gogh.
Phil Edgar-Jones Executive Director of Unscripted at Sky says: “As we celebrate the 10th series of Landscape Artist of the Year, we continue to honour the extraordinary beauty of the British landscape and the incredible skills of the artists who participate. This milestone series also features an exciting addition: a commission in the South of France for the winner, offering an unforgettable opportunity to showcase their talent on an international stage.”
Danielle Graham of Storyvault Films added: “We are proud to mark a decade of Landscape Artist of the Year, a programme that has unearthed and supported countless talented artists, with a commission from the Courtauld gallery. The winner of the tenth series will have their work exhibited alongside the jewels in the Courtauld’s collection – paintings by Monet, Manet and Van Gogh – which feels like a fitting way to mark our ten years on the air.”
Landscape Artist of the Year is available to watch on Sky Arts, Freeview Channel 36 and streaming service NOW.