2025 John Moores Painting Prize

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The 2025 John Moores Painting Prize showcases a diverse collection of contemporary works — from bold abstracts and politically charged themes to figurative explorations of nightlife, consumerism, and the quiet beauty of nature. One particularly unforgettable image: a deeply melancholic painted kitten that lingered in the mind long after leaving the gallery.

If you are planning to visit this renowned Liverpool art exhibition, staying at YHA Liverpool is an excellent accommodation option, putting you within easy reach of the Walker Art Gallery.

The Winning Painting: Ally Fallon’s If You Were Certain, What Would You Do Then

This year’s winner, If You Were Certain, What Would You Do Then by Ally Fallon, is a deserving highlight of the 2025 prize. While there were many strong abstract entries — including Kevin Hopper’s Shoe and Eleanor Bartlett’s Mother — Fallon’s painting stood out for its striking visual language and conceptual depth.

The canvas features an ochre background with an abstract golden, neon-like sign suspended above a checkerboard tablecloth pattern. A sweeping, snake-like brushstroke dominates the center, combining both representational and abstract painting styles. Fallon’s work refuses full resolution, inviting viewers to engage with its unresolved tension.

Figurative Art Highlights

One of the most talked-about figurative works was Sheila Rennicks’ Girls Gals, a powerful and provocative portrayal of modern nightlife. Depicting a group of women during a drunken night out, the painting captures the rawness of social media culture. Scantily clad, heavily made-up, and dressed in imitation designer clothes, the women huddle for a selfie while frothing pints spill into the background. The work comments on consumerism, image, and identity in today’s society.

The Haunting Kitten by Dan Davis

Among the most memorable entries was Dan Davis’s Kitten, a melancholic soft-toy-like creature rendered with unsettling poignancy. Its oversized head, sad plastic eyes, and drooping pink bow convey neglect and despair. Only the torso remains, intensifying the sense of loss. This painting captivated many viewers, staying with them as a symbol of fragility and emotional resonance in contemporary art.

Themes of the 2025 John Moores Painting Prize

As always, the John Moores Painting Prize offers a wide-ranging exploration of pressing themes and innovative styles. This year’s exhibition included:

Political commentary on modern Britain
The decline of high streets and urban spaces
Social issues such as dangerous dogs and the changing nuclear family
International perspectives, including abstract works from China
Still lifes critiquing consumerism and morality

The selection challenges viewers with questions about what contemporary painting is — and what it should be.

Why You Should Visit

The John Moores Painting Prize 2025 brings freshness, vitality, and a forward-looking spirit to British contemporary painting. Whether you are an art enthusiast, a student of fine art, or a casual visitor to Liverpool, this exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery is an unmissable cultural event.

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