Integrity Painting Prize on How to Win at Art

Integrity Painting Prize is a group show currently in The Glue Factory. The show features new works from eight artists who work with painting within their practice, including Hannah Bays, Rodolfo Brito, Francesca Blomfield, Giovanni Giacoia, Florrie James, Ross Little, Tom Marshallsay, and Max Prus. A text written by Sam Bellacosa (member of the band Golden Teacher) accompanies the show. 

The following interview took place via a series of emails with the voice of Integrity.

How does the Integrity Painting Prize work, and what motivated Integrity to establish this prize?

The Integrity Painting Prize have handpicked artists from across the UK, from London all the way to Glasgow. The original idea for the exhibition came from an almost painful desire to create a space where one could be surrounded by big paintings which exude the richness and wealth of the medium. We hope the work of the chosen artists will exemplify an aura of grace and benevolence, forever reaching out to a forlorn beauty, the overwhelming sense of ascending to unknown heights but never quite arriving.

Why are these kinds of prizes needed? Are there similar competitions you can think of?

Prizes like Integrity are needed to facilitate the arts in building long-term connections with corporate networks. Our mission is to boost the creativity, productivity and flexibility of both the individual artists and our corporate partners. It is through this process that the arts will further flourish in Glasgow. We see the Integrity Painting Prize as being situated on the historical continuum of prestigious competitions such as the British Petroleum Portrait Award and Great British Bake-off.

Why does Intergity valorise painting in particular?

Because it is the highest form, historically.

What is Integrity's idea of the ideal painter?

Someone who really cares about art and has integrity.

What prizes are on offer?

There will be several categories for the Integrity Painting Prize which will be announced on the night. We are delighted to reveal that we will be presenting such awards as the The Award for Unease with Symbolic Infinity, The Dove Men(TM); 'Care Makes Us Men' Award, The SSE/G4S Low-Impact Lifestyle Award and of course, the heavily-anticipated Hubris Prize.

What made Glasgow the choice city for the Integrity Painting Prize?

We are absolutely thrilled to be working in Glasgow once again. It is such a dynamic and resilient city. We have been preparing this showcase since our sister organisation, Hotel Gilchrist, proudly hosted the British Art Show 7 at its grand Victorian tenement residence of 49 West Princes Street [This British Art Show 7 was a completely unofficial parallel event to the main British Art Show 7, which took place across Tramway, the Gallery of Modern Art and the CCA. The British Art Show 7 mentioned here took place in someone’s flat]. Four years later – it's a miracle we are finally here.

What made The Glue Factory the ideal venue?

We chose the venue because of its rich history. It is projects such as these that really make a difference in gentrifying the surrounding area and we only hope that our presence in the 'northern creative quarter' will boost the profile of the area. Perhaps in ten years we might be looking at a very different neighbourhood, perhaps in twenty years Integrity will be remembered as a seminal moment.

How important is competition within the arts community? Is it a case of competition vs community?

To quote the composer R Kelly, "My greatest competition is, well, me." We believe competition is essential, what would life be without it? But really, as Mr Kelly points out, the competition is with yourself, the free-market will take care of the rest.