John Moores Painting Prize crowns youngest ever winner

Liverpool’s John Moores Painting Prize has crowned its youngest ever winner in the competition’s 68-year history.

Ally Fallon has won the 2025 competition for the painting If You Were Certain, What Would you do Then?

The 27-year-old, who is based in Manchester, was announced as the winner of the £25,000 first prize at an event at the Walker Art Gallery last night. Another part of the prize package is a solo exhibition at the venue.

Fallon said: “This is a very proud moment for me. It was only a few years ago I came here for the first time as a student, so to be standing here with my painting on the walls is a very prominent moment.  

“There’s something paint as a material that allows me to express an experience in a unique way.  

“Being based in Manchester, the John Moores Painting Prize is a really, really important exhibition for Northern-based artists, as it happens outside London. It's seen as a real beacon."

There were more than 3,000 entries for the 2025 painting accolade – the UK’s most prestigious contemporary painting prize, which was founded in 1957 and named after Sir John Moores.

Fallon, a graduate of Manchester College of Art, was one of five shortlisted artists. The others were London-based figurative artist Davina Jackson; Katy Shepherd, who has studied at Bournemouth, Sheffield and the Royal College of Art; Margate-based New Zealander Miranda Webster and Zambian-born, Sheffield-based Joanna Whittle.

Meanwhile David Caines has been announced as the winner of the Lady Grantchester Prize, sponsored by Windsor and Newton for the painting Monstrous Endeavour.

Above: a slideshow gallery of some of the artworks in the John Moores Painting Prize 2025 exhibition. Top: 2025 winner Ally Fallon. Photo courtesy of National Museums Liverpool.

Caines said: “I’m elated that it will be exhibited in the beautiful Walker Art Gallery. When I heard that I had won the Lady Grantchester Prize, I couldn’t quite believe it. It feels like a wonderful affirmation, not just of a lot of hard work, but of my peculiar preoccupations as well. I’m still pinching myself.”

Charlotte Keenan, head of the Walker Art Gallery, said: "Ally Fallon's win represents another remarkable moment in the John Moores Painting Prize's distinguished history.

“At 27, Ally becomes our youngest ever winner, joining the ranks of exceptional artists like Sir David Hockney and Lisa Milroy who have shaped British painting through this Prize.

“I want to congratulate not only Ally and David Caines, our Lady Grantchester Prize winner, but also all the shortlisted artists and everyone who submitted work to this edition - their collective talent demonstrates the extraordinary vitality of contemporary painting. 

“As we look towards its 70th anniversary in 2027, the Prize continues to be a vital platform that celebrates the innovative and challenging work being created by painters across the UK today. The Walker's commitment to supporting artists at all stages of their careers and bringing the very best of contemporary British painting to Liverpool remains as strong as ever." 

Visitors to the John Moores Painting Prize exhibition also have a chance to vote for their own favourite artwork in the 2025 competition, with the winning artist receiving £2,025.

The John Moores Painting Prize exhibition opens at the Walker Art Gallery tomorrow and runs until March 1, 2026. More details HERE