John Moores Painting Prize 2025 shortlist revealed

The five finalists set to contest this year’s John Moores Painting Prize have been chosen.

They were picked by the John Moores jury from more than 3,000 anonymous submission entries for the 2025 painting accolade – the UK’s most prestigious contemporary painting prize - which has a £25,000 first prize.

The artworks will go on show as part of 71 shortlisted paintings at the John Moores exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery next month.

The five artists chosen to compete for the award are:

Manchester School of Art graduate Ally Fallon with If You Were Certain, What Would You Do Then?

London-based figurative artist Davina Jackson with Just Like it Was.

Katy Shepherd, who has studied at Bournemouth, Sheffield and the Royal College of Art, for Bedscape 2.

Margate-based New Zealander Miranda Webster’s laid out.

Zambian-born, Sheffield-based Joanna Whittle with Darkened Heart (a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth).

The winner will be announced on September 4 ahead of the exhibition’s opening weekend, with the winning artist receiving a first prize of £25,000. Their painting will be acquired by the gallery, and they will also have a future solo exhibition at the Walker.

Above: The John Moores Painting Prize 2025 jury. Top: Behind the scenes at the John Moores Painting Prize judging at the Walker Art Gallery. Photos by Robin Clewley.

The winner of the Lady Grantchester Prize for recent art graduates will be announced alongside the first prize winner. They will receive £5,000, an artistic residency and £2,500 worth of art materials, supported by Winsor & Newton.

Visitors to the exhibition will also be invited to vote for their favourite painting to win the Visitors' Choice Award, with the winning artist receiving £2,025.  

Meanwhile prize works from the John Moores Painting Prize China 2024 will also be displayed as part of the 2025 exhibition. The prize, organised by the College of Fine Arts at Shanghai University, was launched in 2010 to support the development of contemporary painting in China.

Above: John Moores' 2023 winner Graham Crowley.

The John Moores Painting Prize was inaugurated in 1967 and past winners include David Hockney, Peter Doig, Rose Wylie and, most recently, Graham Crowley. Sir Peter Blake, who won the Junior Prize in 1961, is patron.

Charlotte Keenan, Head of Walker Art Gallery, said: "This year's selection demonstrates the extraordinary reach of contemporary painting across the UK. From Belfast to Brighton, from Glasgow to Gateshead, these 71 artists represent the vitality of painting happening in every corner of the United Kingdom today. Our congratulations go to every selected and shortlisted artist, and our thanks to all who submitted their artworks for this year's Prize. 

“The Prize continues to be a vital platform for painters working throughout the UK, and the result is a truly exciting snapshot of contemporary practice." 

The John Moores Painting Prize exhibition is at the Walker Art Gallery from September 6 to March 1, 2026. More details HERE