“…it is our aim to continue sharing our passion about painting as widely as possible.”
‘Contemporary British Painting’ (also known as CBP) is an artist led organisation which explores and promotes current trends in British painting through group exhibitions, talks, publications, and other activities. The group is run entirely by volunteers from within the membership.
Our members represent some of the most exciting emerging and award-winning painting in the UK today and include Winner of the John Moores Painting Prize Graham Crowley, and several prizewinners including Paula MacArthur, Mandy Payne, Narbi Price and Jo Whittle; Jonathan Vickers Award winner Natalie Dowse; recipients of the Abbey Fellowship in Painting at the British School at Rome, Marius von Brasch and David Lock; Venice Biennale exhibitor Phil Illingworth; Beep Painting Prize winner Rachel Lancaster; and very many other highly regarded painters.
We founded the The Contemporary British Painting Prize in 2016, an annual prize promoting the best of contemporary painting produced in the UK. Read more about the Contemporary British Painting Prize here.
History
Contemporary British Painting was founded in 2013 by Simon Carter and Robert Priseman, both painters who are hugely passionate about painting. Over the years they brought together a diverse group of painters from around the British Isles creating a forum for the discussion and promotion of contemporary painting. CBP ran a programme of exhibitions in The Crypt at St Marylebone in London until May 2019. Robert also worked tirelessly to create other exhibition opportunities for CBP members and placed their paintings in permanent collections around the world. Robert eventually decided to focus on other projects, passing the organisation over to its members.
CBP started a new chapter. We established a constitution and we’re working on forthcoming exhibitions as well as organising the annual Contemporary British Painting Prize for non-members. We also share as much painting as we can through our social media channels (@paintbritain).
Membership
Membership to Contemporary British Painting is by invitation, to painters working in the United Kingdom. The number of members we have is determined by our capacity as an artist-led organisation. New members are considered annually through nomination by current members, and we have grown by more than half over recent years. Membership criteria include the quality of the artist’s work and their potential energy and commitment to contribute to CBP’s activities. In addition, the winner of the Contemporary British Painting Prize is automatically invited to become a member.
CBP is committed to equality and diversity, and this is reflected in our constitution. If you are interested in joining CBP the best way to start is by submitting work to the Contemporary British Painting Prize and to develop relationships with existing members and the organisation. We encourage painters who are interested in joining the group to sign up to our newsletter, connect with us on social media and visit our exhibitions. Any painter can submit their work, free of charge, for Painting of the Day.
Our Committee
CBP is steered by a committee comprising members of CBP, nominated and elected by its members.
Marius von Brasch (Treasurer)
Lesley Bunch (Joint Secretary)
Geraint Evans
Phil Illingworth
Paula MacArthur
Gavin Maughling (Joint Secretary)
Joe Packer
Narbi Price (Chair)
Jo Whittle (Vice Chair)
Contemporary British Painting is the trading name of Contemporary British Painting Ltd, registered in England and Wales with company number 15947307. The registered office address is Lake House, 2 Port Way, Port Solent, Portsmouth PO6 4TY