A BARNSLEY artist is set to exhibit his work in the National Portrait Gallery in London - after finally being selected after more than 20 years of trying.
Richard Kitson, 43, from Birdwell, received the news a few months ago that his painting ‘Alice IV’ has been selected for the prestigious exhibition in what is widely considered the Mecca for classical, modern and contemporary portraiture in the UK.
It came after 20 years of trying to exhibit a painting in the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award exhibition.
This year’s exhibition received a total of 1,314 entries from 61 countries of which 275 went on to be judged in person at Trinity Buoy Wharf.
It was here that the judges selected the final 46 works for the exhibition.
The subject of Richard’s portrait is Leeds based Italian artist and model Alice d’Apolito.
He said: “Twenty years is a long time - you get to a point whether you wonder if it will ever happen.
“I must give credit to my wife Joanne for her support as she is also an artist and understands the struggle to gain recognition for your work.
“We can put all the previous rejections behind us now and enjoy the moment.”
The exhibition runs from July 10 until October 12.
