Sir Antony Gormley & Sandy Nairne CBE to judge NAT artwork competition

Aspiring artists and designers are invited to enter HIV charity National AIDS Trust’s (NAT) inaugural Be Red Ribbon Inspired artwork competition and have their work judged by Sir Antony Gormley and Sandy Nairne CBE.

Launched on Friday, July 31, the competition offers a unique opportunity to create an inspiring piece of artwork incorporating the red ribbon, the international symbol of HIV awareness and support, while gaining valuable exposure and recognition. Sir Antony Gormley is a renowned sculptor who created the Angel of the North and Sandy Nairne CBE was a director of the National Portrait Gallery.

The winning artwork will feature on NAT’s exclusive World AIDS Day 2020 tote bag, will be commissioned by Paintings in Hospitals, and the winner will receive £500.

Deborah Gold, Chief Executive of NAT, said: ‘The red ribbon is the international symbol of HIV and AIDS and we are excited to see how people interpret this into artwork for our exciting new competition.

‘We’re absolutely thrilled Sandy Nairne and Sir Antony Gormley are joining us to judge the entries with their wide-ranging expertise.  We hope this competition will help raise awareness of the significant advances made in HIV treatment and prevention in recent years. We celebrate living and thriving with HIV and art is an important way of people expressing themselves.’

Sandy Nairne CBE, historian and curator, added: ‘I am delighted to support the National AIDS Trust’s 2020 artwork competition. It will help promote the important work the charity does while offering wider recognition for artists and designers. I look forward to seeing how people are inspired by the iconic red ribbon.’

Deadline for submissions is Monday, August 31. Artwork should be submitted as a still image in any format by CLICKING HERE, or email art@nat.org.uk. Submissions that uniquely incorporate the red ribbon and represent an aspect of NAT’s work are encouraged.

Alongside the top prize from Paintings in Hospitals, runners-up prizes have been provided by Pop Up Paintings and Surface View.

Sandra Bruce-Gordon, Director of Paintings in Hospitals said: ‘Paintings in Hospitals is thrilled to support the National AIDS Trust’s artwork competition for emerging artists. Like the red ribbon, art has the power to communicate beyond words. Art can uplift, inform, and empower people.

‘We will be delighted to acquire the competition’s winning artwork for the Paintings in Hospitals collection, which will see the artwork go on public display in care settings across the country, amplifying HIV awareness and support to patients and service users throughout the UK.’

CLICK HERE for competition details and instructions on how to enter, or email art@nat.org.uk.