The David Barker Award

Announcing a second New Prize for 2026:

For the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours 214th Exhibition we are delighted to introduce: The David Barker Award.

This award consists of two prizes of £1000 each—one for an RI Member and one for a Non-Member. The prizes will be awarded to works created from observed experience, with the condition that recipients commit to using the Award to further their artistic development and education by undertaking residencies or courses of their choice.

Having been a professional artist working in watercolour all my life, I am honoured to be associated with this RI Award for furthering artistic development. Since the principles of painting can be taught, I believe they can be learned and are seen to be so. I call it the ‘language of vision’.

Images based on visual observation have been an important part of my works, be they based on land or seascapes, architectural or life studies. With practice, many various methods in watercolour medium may be realised.

I wish the recipients of the Award every success with their own artistic development and endeavours. - David Barker

ALL work must be submitted online at: https://www.mallgalleries.org.uk/open-calls/royal-institute-painters-water-colours.

Or use the link in our Bio - Submit to RI 2026

Submissions close Friday 23 January 2026, 2 pm.