Sir Peter Blake Named as First Ever Patron of John Moores Painting Prize

• Written on 14 October 2011
• Posted under: News

POP Art legend Sir Peter Blake has been named as the first ever patron of the prestigious John Moores Painting Prize.

The 79-year-old, who is still best known for creating the cover for the Beatles’ Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, will represent what is the UK’s biggest painting competition.

His appointment comes 50 years after he won the junior section of the contest with his picture Self Portrait With Badges, and five years after he himself was on the judging panel for the art prize.

Sir Peter said : “They asked me to be patron and I was thrilled to accept.”

“You won’t see a show like the John Moores Painting anywhere else.

“The Walker Art Gallery is one of the most important galleries in Europe and has threaded its way through my career. It’s the gallery where I first displayed Self-Portrait with Badges and where I had the privilege of working as a judge for John Moores 24. Now I have the pleasure of returning again to represent the John Moores Painting Prize as patron.”

The call for entries for 2012 is now open with artists vying for the top prize of £25,000.

Go Back