The Marmite Prize for Painting to show at Ruskin Gallery, Cambridge

The fourth Marmite Prize for Painting is coming to Anglia Ruskin University next month as part of a national tour following its showing at the Mackintosh Museum in Glasgow.

From the French word meaning a large, covered cooking pot (rather than the yeast-based spread), the name evokes the rich mix of themes and styles included in the Marmite Prize exhibition.

The award was established in response to art prizes that evaluate creativity by assigning a monetary value to the winning work. As an alternative to a cash prize, the winner will receive a specially commissioned 'marmite' artwork made and donated by distinguished sculptor Richard Wentworth.

The exhibition at the Ruskin Gallery on Anglia Ruskin's East Road campus will feature 32 works that were shortlisted from almost 850 entries. A representative from each of the five galleries on the tour took part in the selection process, along with Marcus Cope and Stephanie Moran, the Marmite Prize curators.

From the diverse and international shortlist a winner and two runners-up will be chosen by a judging panel of four leading painters - Marta Marce, Dawn Mellor, Tim Stoner and 2010 Marmite Prize winner Iain Andrews - when the show reaches its final gallery, London's Tannery Arts, in June.

Among those exhibiting their work in the Ruskin Gallery is East Anglian artist Simon Carter, who said: "The piece I submitted for the Marmite Prize was a piece I had made early last year, but was not made specifically to enter the competition.

"I go out to make drawings most days. I spend about an hour doing this and repeatedly go back to the same locations, sometimes for months, sometimes longer. I make fast drawings in pencil and crayon and these are used as starting points for the paintings."

Simon is based in Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, and his work focuses on the ocean, coastline and the way the sea shapes the area. Once back in the studio, Simon spends his time "waiting and hoping for something fresh and engaging to appear".

The Marmite Prize exhibition will be on show at the Ruskin Gallery from Friday 12 April to Thursday 9 May (10.00am-4.30pm, Monday to Saturday).

Entrance to the Ruskin Gallery is free and there will be a talk by Benet Spencer (Course Leader, BA (Hons) Fine Art) and a member of the shortlisting panel on Thursday 25 April at 2.00pm.

Please click images to enlarge.

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