Friday, September 12, 2014 Follow us on Twitter @Argus_The Guide


THE Threadneedle Prize, which aims to showcase the very best in new figurative and representational art has announced its 2014 finalist shortlist which includes an artist from South Wales. Se- lected from more than 3,600 entries, the six finalists in line for the £20,000 prize will all exhibit at London’s Mall


Threadneedle Prize


Galleries this autumn. Inspired by landscape or


the human figure, their work will be exhibited alongside 58 other entries selected for


the 2014 edition of the prize. The winner will also receive a solo exhibition for a wider body of work at Mall Galler- ies in 2015. Panel member Kevin Fran-


cis Gray said: “This year’s shortlist highlights the talent of practising artistswho both find ongoing inspiration in the human form and the ab- straction of the human form, as have generations of artists before them.” The six shortlisted artists


are Sue Williams A’Court, Thomas Allen, Tina Jenkins, David Teager-Portman, Craig Wylie and Abergavenny’s Sa- rah Ball. They have been selected by


a panel of experts comprising arts commissioning editor and art critic at The Times, Nancy Durrant; internation- ally exhibited and collected sculptor Kevin Francis Gray; independent adviser and curator of the Hiscox Col- lection Whitney Hintz, and; gallerist and founder of Art Dubai John Martin, who has two gallery spaces in London. Lewis McNaught, director


of Mall Galleries, who has overseen the Prize since its inception, adds: “The Thread- needle Prize exhibition gives a powerful voice to figurative art through a range of differ- ent subjects, techniques and mediums. “This year’s shortlist of up


ORIGINAL WORK: Sarah’s painting


and coming artists is taking the Prize to a new level of achievement. Visitors to the exhibition will also enjoy a


In The Spotlight


LAST week, I reviewed a splendid gig at the Borough Theatre, Abergavenny, given by the supremely talented Na- tional Youth Jazz Orchestra. It was the first performance I’d reviewed in almost a month. Given that I’ve reviewed about sixty performances in the past year, the month of August rep- resented a distinct lull. It had never previously really struck me that mid-summer was such a cultural desert – unless one was prepared to travel to a major festivals such as Edinburgh or the Proms. It seems that most of the sum-


mer’s entertainment is aimed at the kids. Even my plans to pay a visit to the cinema to catch up on some good films was scuppered. It would seem that the summer is given over to films about cuddly dragons and genetically evolved apes. Why is it assumed that every


concertgoer is lyingona beach or by a pool somewhere? But now I look forward


Stoutzker Hall of the Royal Welsh College. One of the world’s most styl-


to normal service being re- sumed. It is time to compile my list of some of the pleas- ures in store this autumn. The Classical highlights be-


gin tonight at the Wales Mil- lennium Centre as the Welsh National Opera begin their season with David Kempster singing the eponymous lead as the Swiss freedom fighter in the four-act epic that is Wil- liam Tell. This forms part of a bold double bill of seldom-per- formed Rossini operas. In Oc- tober they will perform Moses in Egypt. Their third choice of opera will tread far more familiar ground with the ever- popular Carmen. As always, there is a star- studded programme of con- certs scheduled for the Dora


ish vocal ensembles, Voces 8 (who recently gave a memora- ble recital as the climax of this year’s Lower Machen Festival) will performa concert entitled Aces High, on September 26. Anyone wanting to hear Bee-


thoven’s piano sonatas is in for a treat – Brazilian virtuoso Nelson Goemer includes the monumental Hammerklavier sonata in his programme on September 28 and Wales’ Ll r Williams begins his immer- sion into the 32 sonatas on Oc- tober 9 when he commences the huge undertaking of play- ing the complete cycle – he will return in the new year to continue. Lovers of lieder will not want to miss the greatest of all song cycles, Schubert’s Die Winterreise, performed by the


selection of works by more- established artists invited by guest curator Sacha Crad- dock.


“These complementary yet contrasting approaches to selection will reinforce the impact and influence that figurative art has within the context of contemporary art today.” Sacha Craddock’s selection


in the ‘Curated Space’ will feature work by eight leading UK and international artists, all of whom use figurative art as their starting point. Together they will enhance


and complete the exhibition’s comprehensive annual sur- vey of Figurative Art Today. The Threadneedle Prize


was established in 2008 and has the continued support of Threadneedle Investments, a leading international invest- ment manager, which they say demonstrates their long- termcommitment to support- ing the arts. Through the Threadneedle


Foundation, the company is committed to investing in the community, building part- nerships that create positive social impact across a range of sectors, with a particular focus on art and education. All works are for sale, and


all exhibitors are eligible for the £10,000 Visitors’ Choice Award. The winner of the 2014 Threadneedle Prize final- ist will be announced at an awards dinner on September 23.


By


GERAINT DAVIES


Plenty to put in diary – and no dragons in sight


5 Culture Local artist is among prize inalists


THREADNEEDLE FINALIST: Abergavenny artist arah Ball Newchoir open to all


SHERMANCymruis launching a new mixed choir this month which is open to everyone, of any age and ability and will be led by Forget-Me-Not Chorus and WNO’s Kate Wolveridge. The Sherman Choir will meet


weekly and work towards per- formance opportunities at Christmas. The repertoire will vary, but


greatest British bass baritone of his generation, Sir Thomas Allen, on October 10. On November 14, the world’s premier brass band, the Cory Band (now the RWCMD band in residence) will showcase its dazzling skills. I would urge anyone (and there are many of them) whose automatic response is “I don’t like brass bands” to go along to hear the astonishing virtuosity and musicianship on display here. At St David’s Hall, there is


the customary collection of high-quality symphonic con- certs.


Andriss Nelson’s return to Cardiff with the CBSO. on No- vember 28 is one that I would not want to miss and the BBC- NOWbegin their contribution with Strauss’ sublime Four Last Songs and Sibelius’ sec- ond symphony on October 3.


for this autumn will be a ec- lectic mix of Palestinian folk songs and themes that have been inspired by Sherman Cymru’s Christmas produc- tion, Arabian Nights. No previous experience need- ed just come along, sing and


have fun. The first session will be a taster session on Thursday September 25, at 6pm. Rehearsals will then be held


every week from October 2 – Deember 4, on Thursdays, be- tween 6pm-8pm at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff with a £1.50 fee per session. The session on October 2 will be a part of Age Positivity Week. The Sherman Choir is sup-


ported by the BIG Lottery. For further information about the choir, contact Sher- man Theatre on 029 2064 6900 or visit www.shermancymru. co.uk


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