About Us
The Contemporary British Portrait Painters (CBPP) is a diverse and dynamic community of artists dedicated to portraiture. Founded in 2018, the CBPP is a not-for-profit collective, run by and for our members.
We believe that portraiture remains one of the most intimate and revealing art forms - able to tell stories about who we are, individually and collectively. Through our regular communications, general networking and our annual exhibition, we aim to showcase our members’ talents, while also inspiring and educating future generations of figurative and portrait artists.
We actively promote diversity, accessibility and inclusion among sitters, artists and audiences. We believe portraiture should be open to everyone and that the art of portraying people has a vital place in contemporary British culture.
What We Do
- Stage an Annual Exhibition of our members’ work, showcasing the vitality and breadth of contemporary British portraiture.
- Nurture a supportive community of practising portrait artists that help each other through the exchange of knowledge and shared opportunities.
- Act as a voice for portrait artists in the wider arts ecosystem, raising the profile of our members and the genre as a whole.
- Engage with the public through exhibitions, social media and online profiles, so that audiences can explore and appreciate portrait painting today.
Who We Are
The CBPP is a diverse collective of artists based in different parts of the UK, with between 50 - 100 members at any one time. We are run entirely by volunteer member artists who serve on the Committee and Selection Committee, under the overall leadership of the Chair. Together the committees ensure the values of the CBPP are upheld and that the organisation is governed fairly.
Chair Sarah Jane Moon took over from founder Ian Goldsmith in July 2024, bringing a wealth of both artistic and organisational expertise to the role, which allows her to raise awareness of the work we do and build connections for our collective.
The current Committee consists of: Wendy Barratt, Clive Bryant, Martyn Burdon, Jonathan Chan, Peter James Field, Liesel Thomas and Sarah Jane Moon.
The Selection Committee is made up of other members and rotates annually. It is anonymous and confidential to ensure fairness. It meets twice a year to review applications for membership - in the Spring and Autumn. Details of how to apply can be found on our membership page.
Follow Us
Whether you are an artist working in portraiture, a sitter interested in commissioning a painting, or an art lover seeking out inspirational and meaningful art, we would be delighted for you to engage with us.
To find out more about CBPP, our current members and upcoming events, please subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of this page and follow us on Instagram @thecbpp.
We look forward to welcoming you into the world of contemporary British portraiture.