The show itself is quite enjoyable. Watching the different artists with their various styles is fascinating. However, the problem with the show, and the source of my frustration with it, is in the judging. Unfortunately, the judges don't seem to be looking for the most talented artist as much as the artist that suit their own stylistic preferences. They rely far too heavily on the crutch of art being "subjective" and forget that judges are supposed to be "objective". If you can put the frustration of the judging aside and just watch the show for the art, it can be quite an enjoyable experience.
14 Reviews
Beautiful and Frustrating
nesskimo4 December 2018
As with 'Portrait Artist of the Year', this series follows the journey of some incredible artists. Unfortunately, it's the judges who disapppoint! 2018 competition clearly demonstrates this with the chosen winner who produced the weakest pieces out of all 3 finalists. The subject matter for this particular commission piece was so important, and I feel the final piece was an incredible let down for the venue and the series!
Fun, but the judges...
melanielisabeth-6182718 September 2022
I thoroughly enjoy the concept, but dear gawd. The judges have some hidden criteria that means they can't pick anything but artists with big chunky abstracts that are more suited to a Walmart art section or mid-grade hotel rooms then the hallowed halls the winners end up in. They end up all being pretty similar (even to Tai-Shan's own style). It can be disappointing is maddening.
What is interesting to a critic, much like all art, isn't necessarily going to translate well in posterity. It would be great to get new judges, and do some episodes of how the contestants are after a year or two.
Still, fun for most of each episode..
What is interesting to a critic, much like all art, isn't necessarily going to translate well in posterity. It would be great to get new judges, and do some episodes of how the contestants are after a year or two.
Still, fun for most of each episode..
Enjoyable but predictable
ricovegas18 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
LAOTY is a phenomenal idea and one that I enjoy very much. I am an amateur artist and I have actually learned quite a bit from the various contestants. The host are wonderful especially the dry humor of Frank Skinner. A real bonus is Joan's recounting of the history of the sites where the competitions take place. It is like getting a bonus history lesson with an art lesson. My complaint, like many others, is that the judges have such a built-in prejudice that after the first episode, I was able to predict all but one of the winners. I am not a knuckle dragging cretin who despises art that is out of the mainstream, but some of the choices have been rather bizarre (I'm talking about Sam's 4x4 'landscape'). Personally, I would have liked to see three different judges for each episode. This would seem fairer to the artists who don't fit the 'criteria' of what the three regular judges are looking for. If I were an artist in the competition, it would be a difficult choice to paint what I want rather than what the judges prefer. Luckily all of the contestants seem to have the artistic conviction to not compromise themselves. Nonetheless, if you are an artist, like to see how art is created or just a fan of human nature this show will not disappoint you.
Quite enjoyable
tovart3020 April 2020
They always select 8 artists with unique styles and its a pleasure to watch them work. The best part is watching as a blank material is transformed into a work of art, how each artist interprets the scene and create an atmosphere. The part i dislike is how the judges always seem to pick the same type, style of artist to win. All the winners (to me) seem to end up with a very traditional end product. Yes, the artist puts paint on the canvas in a contemporary way but the final product is so very traditional.
Another high point is the wild card artists, so wonderful to see such a large group of artists just enjoying doing their work.
Another high point is the wild card artists, so wonderful to see such a large group of artists just enjoying doing their work.
Frustrating viewing
taylorlynne-293085 March 2022
As above. The judges always choose the most unlikely artist rather than the most talented. Emporer and clothes comes to mind. The final commissioned painting did not fulfill the brief and was very disappointing. Why the fire? Other than it's her trademark.
Wonderful Artists, Horrid Judging
calledcreate-4420225 September 2023
The show concept is quite lovely. I enjoy seeing all of the artists' varying mediums, perspectives and abilities. It's to be expected that artists will produce pieces reflective of their experience, and I have enjoyed all of their offerings. But, the judges. Good grief. I have nearly quit the series after watching several episodes where the least capable artist won accolades over more accomplished artists who deserved recognition and stellar wins. So much fine art was passed over for mediocre art, and raved about, at that. My heart goes out to the artists who should have won, as I can only imagine how their losses when viewed in tandem with the winners were so entirely unfair. I am glad to see that other reviewers felt and voiced their same opinions. I hope the artists who should have won are encouraged by these reactions, and that their enthusiasm to produce will not be diminished.
Replace the judges
mclose-8550728 September 2023
They should replace the judges with objective ones. Those judges are biased to modern art bordering to abstract. I wonder if the organization or sponsor of the £10,000 commission has rejected some works since some do not jibe with the existing collections displayed in their museum. Most of the collections are classic or impressionistic but the commissioned work is sometimes too abstract like in the earlier season where the painting highlights a glob of green mass in the middle, you can't even decipher what it was.
They should stop wasting the time and effort of great artists if they will only pick their personal choices who are sub par those participants who turned out great works. Artists using etching, decoupage, print, etc., will never get a chance to win even if they make it to the semi finals or finals coz their works are not what the commission sponsors are looking for, and definitely, not the choices of the biased judges who I think already have pre-determined winner in mind before the start of the season's production, since they already have the list of artists and their submitted works before the season starts.
They should stop wasting the time and effort of great artists if they will only pick their personal choices who are sub par those participants who turned out great works. Artists using etching, decoupage, print, etc., will never get a chance to win even if they make it to the semi finals or finals coz their works are not what the commission sponsors are looking for, and definitely, not the choices of the biased judges who I think already have pre-determined winner in mind before the start of the season's production, since they already have the list of artists and their submitted works before the season starts.
Good artists but awful judges
auntyloo11 January 2021
Just like the Portrait Artist of the year, Great watching the artists and seeing their different styles but oh dear, the judges really let it down, that affected portrait artist, Thai-Shan Shierenberg, whose paintings are all done in the style of Lucien Freud is awful, plus a curator and an art historian, same judges for the Portrait one. Agree with other reviewers, they always pick some posh Sloane type who speaks the same affected language and often some talented art graduates and artists are overlooked. Focuus too much on the clunky coarse style that Shierenberg uses in an obvious attempt to be "contemporary " but sadly behind the times by about 15 years now. New judges needed, perhaps some Art school professors and tutors and relevant artists, please. After first couple of series, got too predictable and irritating to watch, you knew which picture they'd pick before the end of the show.
The art is great most of the time.
cdebarr-3018722 March 2022
While you have a ton of talent on this show, I don't know what these judges are thinking 70% of the time. How can you let someone pass into the finals with art that looks like a student did it in their first at class? It's a huge disappointment most of the time.
So so
louispeter-2305713 December 2021
Love to see the artists and their personalities and diversity of techniques.
The judges, at times, seem a bit trite and elitist in their comments.
What's with the guy wearing the beret? Really!!
And some of the artists holding a brush between their teeth (Portrait Artist of the Year)....who does that???
The judges, at times, seem a bit trite and elitist in their comments.
What's with the guy wearing the beret? Really!!
And some of the artists holding a brush between their teeth (Portrait Artist of the Year)....who does that???
Without Malice
fiftiesok21 February 2024
The program itself is very well produced, however, without being personal the judging is an absolute injustice to the artists themselves. I say this as there is without doubt only ABSTRACT & REALISM in their views as clearly shown by the winners chosen week in week out. I am at a loss how they choose artists that go to these wonderful locations and produce A TREE art that has absolutely nothing at all to do with the view?
As an amateur myself I would ask them to Stop insulting good art with these horrendous results.
Lastly, I have to ask with respect, what are the judges talking about as it's nonsensical to a lot of us.
Please judge fairer or change format as it is an insult to many good artists.
As an amateur myself I would ask them to Stop insulting good art with these horrendous results.
Lastly, I have to ask with respect, what are the judges talking about as it's nonsensical to a lot of us.
Please judge fairer or change format as it is an insult to many good artists.
Glacially slow
Bernie-5619 June 2019
I've been trying to get through the 2015 final. I don't think I'll make it. I keep nodding off. "Tedious" would be an apt description. This show should have been edited into 30 minute episodes. One hour is far too long when you're dealing with presenters and artists who are not especially articulate and have little of interest to say.
Not as egalitarian as it seems
veronicaspaintbox12 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Impressive location. At Dunottar Castle as the contestants perch in a clifftop to capture the stunning scenery.
Alongside what they call, wild cards, the artists battle it out to produce a piece of work in just four hours It appeared a mixed bag, there was a textile artist this time, as well as painters and a printmaker.
Most contestants achieved a pretty stunning piece of art but all is not as it seems... Some have unfair advantage.
The winner, Kristina Chan, is already a well known international artist of repute.
Her relaxed attitude throughout was a bit of a giveaway.
At the end she blushingly smiled and said " It hasn't quite sunk in yet..." This is the previous winner of multiple awards and fellowships , a summate professional .
Her work is exhibited in the V and A. The British Museum.
She really does not need a leg up the greasy pole of the art business.
Prior knowledge of her work was exhibited by Mr Schierenberg one of the judges. He extolled the ' sense of history ' in the work.
There was nothing in the work that particularly showed 'history'. A gloomy watery scene on a large piece of paper , it looked overworked. The artist had started off trying to monotype the drawing, failed ,and ended up painting.
Her usual , more famous style is photo etching.
The other contestants drew the short straw against an internationally acclaimed artist.
Schierenberg was really rooting for her...he said " I have never seen such unusual work before." Maybe in the V and A? Sackler Gallery, Royal College of Art, U. K. Or the British Museum or... Gallery 46, Whitechapel, U. K. Vault Project London, U. K. Royal Academy of Fine Art Antwerp, Belgium KoMASK Master Printmaking Salon, Belgium Anise Gallery, U. K. Or dozens of others.
This is why the contest annoys me.
Firstly, the should have a guest judge each series, instead of the same closed coterie.
It's unfairly stacked. Sure there can be professional artists...but artists with work in museums and who have had dozens of exhibitions?
There were very good painters on this show and I do absolutely love Kristina Chan's professional work. But not this particular painting. Or the fact the contest felt unfair .
Alongside what they call, wild cards, the artists battle it out to produce a piece of work in just four hours It appeared a mixed bag, there was a textile artist this time, as well as painters and a printmaker.
Most contestants achieved a pretty stunning piece of art but all is not as it seems... Some have unfair advantage.
The winner, Kristina Chan, is already a well known international artist of repute.
Her relaxed attitude throughout was a bit of a giveaway.
At the end she blushingly smiled and said " It hasn't quite sunk in yet..." This is the previous winner of multiple awards and fellowships , a summate professional .
Her work is exhibited in the V and A. The British Museum.
She really does not need a leg up the greasy pole of the art business.
Prior knowledge of her work was exhibited by Mr Schierenberg one of the judges. He extolled the ' sense of history ' in the work.
There was nothing in the work that particularly showed 'history'. A gloomy watery scene on a large piece of paper , it looked overworked. The artist had started off trying to monotype the drawing, failed ,and ended up painting.
Her usual , more famous style is photo etching.
The other contestants drew the short straw against an internationally acclaimed artist.
Schierenberg was really rooting for her...he said " I have never seen such unusual work before." Maybe in the V and A? Sackler Gallery, Royal College of Art, U. K. Or the British Museum or... Gallery 46, Whitechapel, U. K. Vault Project London, U. K. Royal Academy of Fine Art Antwerp, Belgium KoMASK Master Printmaking Salon, Belgium Anise Gallery, U. K. Or dozens of others.
This is why the contest annoys me.
Firstly, the should have a guest judge each series, instead of the same closed coterie.
It's unfairly stacked. Sure there can be professional artists...but artists with work in museums and who have had dozens of exhibitions?
There were very good painters on this show and I do absolutely love Kristina Chan's professional work. But not this particular painting. Or the fact the contest felt unfair .
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