Sky Arts' Landscape Artist of the Year show stops off in Cromarty for semi-final filming
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CAMERA crews have descended on a Black Isle beauty spot as filming for this year's Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year show approaches its dramatic climax.
This year’s semi-final is taking place on the dramatic coastline of Cromarty today (Wednesday), where six finalists will be competing for the top prize, alongside the winner of the ‘wildcard’ groups.
Presented by actor and art lover Stephen Mangan alongside Joan Bakewell, the filming of the heats has taken place over the summer culminating in the semi-final this week, with each hour-long programme airing on Sky Arts and On Demand/Now TV over ten weeks this autumn.
The 'Landscapes' series first aired three years ago following the enormous success of Sky’s Portrait Artist of the Year show, which has captured public imagination since its launch in 2013.
Landscape Artist of the Year boasts the titles of “best-performing, non-scripted series of all time” and second-biggest series ever for Sky Arts, with viewing figures growing over the course of the series.
Joan and Stephen are hugely excited to see what this year. Mr Mangan said: "Summer is here so that means I have the unbelievable pleasure of visiting some of the most beautiful and picturesque spots in the country and watching a bunch of talented artists produce works of art. It’s tough but somebody’s got to do it."
Ms Bakewell added: “It’s always fascinating to watch the artists grow and evolve their style throughout the programme and witness the incredible creativity in their interpretations of beautiful British landscapes – and to witness the debate amongst both the judges and viewers over which artist they believe to be the most worthy winner.”
The judges are artist Tai Shan Schierenberg, art historian Kate Bryan and independent curator Kathleen Soriano.
Hundreds of entries were received for the 2019 competition, giving the judges the difficult task of whittling them down to 48 artists who took part in six heats over the summer.
The first two heats took place at Herstmonceux Castle in Hailsham, near Hastings; the third and fouthth at Hoe Park in Plymouth; and the last two heats took place at HMS Calliope in Gateshead. Each heat was open to a further 50 “wildcard” artists who are invited to compete for a potential place in the Cromarty semi-final.
The winner of Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year 2019 will receive a prestigious £10,000 commission for a British institution. This will be filmed in a dedicated hour-long programme which will chart the journey of the winning artist's commissioned work, and will go out after the final show.
The public are welcome to pop along and watch the filming of the show in Cromarty today.
