Picture Penny

Penny Smith, courtesy GMTV

With the Brit Art scene exploding with talent and innovation art and artists are no longer a niche interest for those in- the-know, but hot property for a whole raft of new collectors, dealers and enthusiasts. And GMTV presenter Penny Smith may seem an unlikely art buff, but her recent involvement in Notting Hill’s SaLon Gallery Summer Show is proof that art’s trickle into popular consciousness has now become a flow.

She joined John Hoyland, professor at the RA; Hakan Rosenius, Creative Director at Asprey and Mary Fitzpatrick, BBC’s Editorial Director of Diversity to judge the first of the gallery’s art competitions.

The SaLon’s owner Samir Ceric and assistant Sarah Horowitz viewed thousands of art works from  London’s best art colleges –  Chelsea, Royal Academy, Royal College, Slade, Goldsmith’s,  St Martin’s, Wimbledon and Camberwell – whittled down 100 artists to 50 then the four judges chose their best 25 whose work forms the  impressive exhibition.

A winner for each of four categories along with an overall winner who will be looked after by the SaLon for two years and also receive art fair representation was announced on Thursday at the private view.

“ I can’t believe that no-one’s thought of doing this before,”enthused Penny when I caught up with her at the event ( which was choc-a-block and had a queue snaking down Westbourne Grove hoping to squeeze over the threshold.)
“ To catch artists when they’re straight from college and help them to find their voices is such a good idea.”

Has she always been an art lover?
“ I did ‘A’ level art but I’m not very good at it. I’m far too anal to make a mess. But I do follow the Britsh art scene, although I probably couldn’t afford anything by Tracey Emin or Damien Hirst.
“I love Anthony Gormley,  he’s so brilliant. I get excited about seeing the Gormley men ( the artists’s piece, Event Horizon, is a set of life size, bronze statues of naked men positioned on rooftops around the South Bank.) We have one on top of the TV studios at London Studios.
Anthony Gormley said that’s the one  he had the most problem with. He had to reposition it because Westminster didn’t want the penis pointing at them.”

Although Penny sees art as fun, and that it should make you smile, she took her job as judge very seriously and was keen to explain that, in her eyes, all 25 artists exhibiting would go on to great things.
But what does she say to the common charge that modern art is a bit of a fraud, and that anyone can do it.
“ Anyone doesn’t do it, that’s the point. That’s like saying anyone can write a book or be a TV presenter. It’s all about the thought process behind it, as well as the skill.”

So will we be seeing the art world’s bright young things on the GMTV couch?
“ It would be lovely to think so. Ten years ago you’d never think we’d have an opera star on GMTV, but we’ve had Katharine Jenkins and all sorts.
It’s only a matter of time with artists. One hopes.”
And Penny would be the perfect presenter to introduce the next edgy artist to the public as they munch on their cornflakes.
After all, she has a good eye.
The presenter walked away from the exhibition with three pieces – by the overall winner and artist the whole crowd was buzzing about : Samuel Jackson.
Watch this space.

The Winners:

Overall Winner : Samuel Jackson
Wow Factor Award: Shi-chi Lin
Innovative Award: Constance Slaughter :
Classic Award: Samuel Jackson

The SaLon Gallery, 82 Westbourne Grove, London, W2 5RT.
The Summer Show runs until 10th September. For more information visit www.salongallery.co.uk

Loma-Ann Bonner

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