South African artist Shany Van den Berg, who is represneted by Everard Read Galleries, has been selected for this year's BP Portrait Award Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. 

Her portrait, Self, was one of 53 selected from more than 2500 entries and this will be the fourth time the artist's work will be shown in the exhibition, previously exhibiting in 2009 '  dit is ek Gladys'  and 2010 'Bloedlyn '. 

Specialising in contemporary portraiture and figurative work with a strong central theme on womanhood, Van den Berg works in oil paint on board and linen, mixed media on paper and perspex as well as sculpture.

Shany Van den Berg on Self ,2016 : 

I used the mirror to paint myself from life and a lamp close to my face to show the contrasts and shadows, which I’ve  emphasized and enhanced. I am obliged to wear these spectacles for up-close, detailed painting as I have gotten older. 

While this helps me focus on my painting, it also provides a focal point for the viewer by framing my eyes.

I completed this self-portrait over 9 to 10 days and towards the end of the deadline for submissions.

 This was deliberate on my part in order to create focus and clarity, adrenaline and anxiety, exhaustion and ultimately exhilaration as the portrait came alive in front of me. It also helped to portray the relationship with the present moment and the inevitability of tomorrow as we age and are confronted by our mortality.

It is not meant to be a morbid or fatalistic context; instead, my goal was to capture a sense of vulnerability, defiance and  courage. 

By looking straight at myself – and thus at the viewer – I expose my humanity and invite introspection.  By using a scale that demands closer inspection, and showing detail that invites intimacy, the viewer is brought closer on both a physical and emotional level.

 In the age of instant selfies, fleeting likes and constant sharing, there is something wonderful about the permanence of a self-portrait painting, which invites repeated musing and offers unexpected delights in a newly discovered detail after a thousand views.

“Faces are silent words” -Penguin Dictionary of Symbols

The BP Portrait Award 2016 will run from 23rd June- 4th September.

For full Press Release click here.