Celebrating the winner of The William Lock Portrait Prize

What does this recognition mean to you, both professionally and personally? 

I have always been a great admirer of the English art of portraiture; from Sickert, Bacon and Freud to nowadays Susanne du Toit, Tim Benson, James Hague just to name a few. It is a long list of great artists you have there. So with this prize, I am telling myself that my voice has been heard in the UK, that means a great deal to me. Although, I am more obsessed with making a good painting than being recognised in the world of arts. But I love the fact that my work will be seen by a wider audience now.

Can you tell us the story behind 'Elvan' - who is the subject, and what inspired you to create this portrait?

Elvan is a lovely girl from Turkey who lives in the Netherlands and with whom I work from time to time with my students. I decided to paint her myself because she has striking features, powerful eyes and jawline but at the same time a beautiful shyness around her. She is very modest in her beauty. It is that combination of softness in her atmosphere and outspokenness in her shape that attracts me artistically. 

You received the award during an event focused on art and AI. How do you feel about the growing role of technology and AI within the art world?

I'm afraid I don't have a strong opinion on that (yet). For now, I can recognise AI from a mile away so it won't bother me as a painter. I don't feel threatened. AI creates images, or imaginations while a painted work of art can be more than just painting an image; it is also the physicality of the medium and the unique series of accidents that bring together a painting. AI tries to be as realistic as possible but sheer realism will never take the place of the quality of an unfinished, ugly, unbalanced but despite all that still fascinating painting, I think. That will always be mesmerising, just as a 4-chord pop song will never fail to fascinate. 

What advice would you give for emerging portrait painters?

A very boring one; be always true to yourself, be the most personal and intimate painter you can be, be loyal to your unexplainable fascinations, don't be lazy and avoid sugar. 

We would also like to say a big congratulations to both Uri Blayer and James Hague RP for being shortlisted for The William Lock Portrait Prize!