A documentary centered on the ongoing art world scandal involving the 9,000 piece collection of the late Albert C. Barnes.

My painting of Rhodri Morgan, “Rhodri Morgan standing in front of a painting by Kyffin Williams” was chosen as the overall winner!

The theme was “my Wales, our Wales, one Wales.” Two others were also shortlisted in my category, judged by Martin Barlow, Director of Oriel Mostyn Gallery. WAG staff will now vote for their favourite entry.

These were Martin’s comments about my painting:

My first selection is Bill Bone’s portrait of Rhodri Morgan standing in front of a painting by Kyffin Williams. The artist has found a very simple yet clever way of embodying the theme in this painting. The former First Minister represented contemporary Wales politically in its most formative stage post devolution, becoming the face of Wales to the outside world in a way that was a source of some pride for many people, regardless of political affiliation. Here he is seen in front of an image of Snowdonia which, for the outside world, is the physical face of Wales. So there is a neat bringing together of north and south, the former symbolised by the mountains for which Wales is best known and which are an important aspect of the life of those living in the north, the latter by Rhodri Morgan’s south Wales background and the location of the Senedd in Cardiff. Incidentally, I would think that the portrait is done from a photograph, but I do rather like the way it is not quite standard terms of politicians’ portraits. The way the First Minister is looking away from the viewer and is characteristically wearing a blue shirt rather than a politician’s standard-issue white one allows us to see him as Rhodri Morgan the man as well as the political leader, and in some way reminds us that Wales is a small nation in which it is possible for people to have contact with ministers and others in a way not possible in much larger countries.

The winner will be announced in July and an exhibition will be held for all shortlisted entries.

More details of the painting in my portfolio