Damien Flood shortlisted for John Moores painting prize

Damien Flood has been shortlisted for the John Moores 25 Contemporary Painting Prize in Liverpool, the UK’s largest contemporary painting competition with a first prize of £25,000 and total fund of over £35,000. Now in its 50th year, this year’s biennial prize has seen the highest ever number of submissions, reflecting the continued interest in painting and the John Moores’ position as Britain’s most important painting prize. The works, selected from a record 3,222 submissions, represent the best of the UK’s current and future painting talent. Over the last 50 years, this biennial competition has given prominence to artists including David Hockney and Richard Hamilton, who went on to find fame and acclaim after winning the prize, and Peter Doig, who described winning the John Moores in 1993 as a pivotal moment in his career.

There is a first prize of £25,000 along with four further prizes, each of £2,500. In addition, there is a visitors' choice prize of £2,008. Prizewinners will be announced on 20 September 2008 and the work of the 25 shortlisted artists will be on show at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, until 4 January 2009. www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker/johnmoores