H.M. THE QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE COMMEMORATED BY THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF PORTRAIT PAINTERS as part of their ANNUAL EXHIBITION to be OPENED BY DAME STEPHANIE SHIRLEY AT 12 NOON 2ND MAY. PRIVATE VIEW 11AM-8PM, 2ND MAY. EXHIBITION RUNS FROM 3-18 MAY 2012, MALL GALLERIES. Preparatory work and portraits of H.M. The Queen will be on show to commemorate her Diamond Jubilee during the annual exhibition. Some of the Society’s most distinguished members including Michael Noakes, Jeff Stultiens, Antony Williams, Sue Ryder, John Wonnacott and Robbie Wraith are contributors to this. Over 200 portraits by 100 artists will be hung in the exhibition which is one of the year’s top art events. June Mendoza will be exhibiting portraits of the broadcaster and former politician David Mellor, QC and his partner Lady Cobham, the pianist Piers Lane and of the cellist Steven Isserlis. Saied Dai has captured the entrepreneur and philanthropist Dame Stephanie Shirley on canvas and David Poole has depicted the Justice Secretary and veteran politician Rt. Hon. Kenneth Clarke. Since 1891 the Society has been exclusively devoted to the art and development of portrait painting. The selection of work on display, both from its members and the open section, make it the perfect destination to those wishing to commission a portrait. Portraiture is a fascinating barometer of current trends and holds a mirror up to nature in reflecting life in contemporary Britain. Prizes awarded by the Society are the Ondaatjie Prize for Portraiture, the Prince of Wales Award for Portrait Drawing, the Changing Faces Prize and the de Laszlo Foundation Prize. The current Bulldog Bursary winner, Rebecca Cartwright, will be exhibiting work associated with the Bursary. For further information please contact Richard Fitzwilliams (press consultant) 0208 455 7393/ 07939 602 749richardfitzwilliams@hotmail.com Liberty Rowley, Marketing and Press Officer, Mall Galleries 0207 968 0955. press@mallgalleries.com