Wilmslow artist in line for top prize for portrait of his daughter

Peter, from Wilmslow, is one of 30 artists shortlisted as finalists for the Castlegate Prize, a new national open art competition launched by Castlegate House Gallery in Cumbria.

All the entry fees are going to mental health charity YoungMinds. More than 700 entries were received by the gallery from all over the country, raising more than £12,000 for the charity.

The inaugural exhibition of finalists’ works at Castlegate House and the announcement of the winner has been postponed until September as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Haha ur weird by Peter Davis

Meanwhile, all the finalists’ work can be viewed on the prize website thecastlegateprize.co.uk.

The theme of the Castlegate Prize competition was ‘Hope’ to acknowledge the work of YoungMinds in supporting people through difficult times.

Peter’s shortlisted painting, which he created in acrylic on canvas, is entitled Haha ur weird, and shows his daughter Nancy, 20, several years ago.

Nancy attended Wilmslow Preparatory School and is studying at university in Salford.

“I am absolutely thrilled at being shortlisted, and honoured to be in the mix,” said Peter, who is a member of the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts.

“The gallery has a great reputation, and there is a fantastic judging panel.”

The painting was created as part of Peter’s ongoing Zeitgeist series, which focus on people’s relationship with technology, and the title of the work reflects the text-speak of a light-hearted phone conversation.

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Peter became a professional artist in 2015, and has won numerous professional painting prizes.

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“We're thrilled to have chosen the final 30,” said Steve Swallow from Castlegate Gallery.

“There are many standout pieces, but every one could be a winner - the quality and ingenuity of ideas is that impressive. Getting to a winner is going to be very tough.”