Skip to main content
Soft yellow painting by Michelle Ussher

Contemporary British Painting Prize

2026

The Contemporary British Painting Prize returns to YAS this Autumn, aiming to showcase the best painting currently being produced in the UK.

Organised "by painters, for painters", the prize exhibition showcases a shortlist of 15 artists selected from over 1200 applications from across the country.

The featured artists are Andrew Bryant, Christopher Cook, Gwen Evans, Pippa Gatty, Mathew Gibson, Caroline Gorick, Melanie Guatelli, Christopher Hanlon, Jinyong Park, Ben Sadler, Katy Shepherd, Robert Sherratt, Michelle Ussher, Haijie Wang, and Kate Wilson.

Together, these artists present a rich cross-section of contemporary painting, highlighting the diversity, ambition and quality of current practice in the UK.

The exhibition opens in Sheffield, where the prizewinners will be announced, before touring to Thames-Side Studios in London (opening Nov 15).

  • Painting of a grass growing through a plastic drinks lid by Kate Wilson.

    Kate Wilson

  • Painting in blue and white by Andrew Bryant. Looks like the silhouette of an island with trees.

    Andrew Bryant

  • Monochromatic gray abstract painting by Christopher Cook.

    Christopher Cook

  • Abstract painting by Pippa Gatty, appears to be a sort of surreal underwater landscape.

    Pippa Gatty

  • Painting of a row of curtains, one green and one red, by Mathew Gibson.

    Mathew Gibson

  • Red painting by Caroline Gorick, looks like two columns of thick seaweed or perhaps draped fabric.

    Caroline Gorick

  • Painting of a gloved hand holding a flower by Gwen Evans.

    Gwen Evans

  • Painting on a sunset through a window with chairs by a round table by Haijie Wang.

    Haijie Wang

  • Painting of a scruffy cat in a domestic space by Ben Sadler.

    Ben Sadler

  • Painting by Christopher Hanlon showing two perspex discs reflecting the light in a dark space.

    Christopher Hanlon

  • Abstract painting of wavy lines in a 70s colour palette by Jinyong Park.

    Jinyong Park

  • Painting of bedsheets on an unmade bed by Katy Shepherd.

    Katy Shepherd

  • Abstract painting by Robert Sherratt, appearing to depict a tree with objects dangling from its branches.

    Robert Sherratt

  • Photorealistic painting by Melanie Gutalli depicting a sculpture made from cardboard tubes, masking tape and pink balloons.

    Melanie Guatelli

  • Soft yellow painting by Michelle Ussher

    Michelle Ussher

Awards

First Prize
£8,000, plus a catalogue essay, CBP membership, and invitation to join the selection panel for the next prize.

Highly Commended
£2,000.

Judith Tucker Memorial Prizes
£3,000 and £1,500 for two female artists whose work explores memory, place, environment or landscape.

YAS Exhibition Award
Solo exhibition at Yorkshire Artspace in 2027.

Judges

Katherine Lloyd
Arts professional with extensive experience across institutions including Turner Contemporary, National Museums Liverpool, and the John Moores Painting Prize.

Georgina Kettlewell
Director of Yorkshire Artspace, with previous roles at Dulwich Picture Gallery and the Horniman Museum & Gardens.

Ryan Mosley
Renowned painter known for his richly coloured figurative works that combine art-historical references, theatrical imagery and imaginative storytelling.