Judges for the inaugural RCB PORTRAIT PRIZE Announced

Wednesday 31 March

Linda Cheng, Managing Director of Chaophaya Development Corporation, operators of River City Bangkok today announced the judges for the inaugural national portraiture competition, RCB PORTRAIT PRIZE 2021.

“We are honoured to have seven inspiring and distinguished members of Thailand’s diverse business community as judges for the inaugural RCB Portrait Prize. They include two directors of Chaophaya Development Corporation, a longtime editor-in-chief and social commentator, an advocate for women’s rights, the chairperson of a leading financial institution, an avid collector of Thai contemporary art, and a bureaucrat responsible for promoting Thailand to the world. All share a passion for creativity and fine art.”

All artists residing in Thailand in 2021 are eligible to submit their portrait, which must be of a person known to them and with at least one live sitting. From the blind entries, the judges will select 100 finalists to be exhibited at River City Bangkok 15 September to 10 November 2021. 

Judges will announce the winner of the THB500,000 prize on 14 September. Also announced that day will be the Packing Room Prize of THB200,000, awarded by RCB Galleria staff responsible for hanging the paintings. The People’s Choice, with prize money of THB100,000 will be awarded on 13 October to the most popular artwork nominated by the people visiting the exhibition. All paintings will be for sale. 

Speaking on behalf of the seven judges, Yuthachai Charanachitta, CEO of Italthai Group said, “Portraiture is a window into the history of nations and the society of the day. Visit any of the national art galleries of the world and you will see, hanging on the walls, paintings of people who have shaped our past and the culture of their time. Kings and queens, politicians and academics, celebrities and the influential, great men and women of their time. This annual Portrait Prize is one small way to bring attention to the men and women influencing Thai society, and the creative talent that puts them on canvas.”