Sunday Times Watercolor Competition - Derwent Gallery

The Sunday Times Watercolour Competition 2016 was one of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious showcases for contemporary painting in water-based media. Held at the historic Mall Galleries in September 2016, the exhibition brought together 76 shortlisted works selected from entries submitted by artists across the UK. Established in 1988, the competition has long encouraged innovation in watercolour, celebrating both traditional techniques and experimental approaches. The exhibition demonstrated how watercolour continues to evolve as a dynamic artistic medium, with works ranging from figurative and landscape painting to highly contemporary and abstract interpretations. A panel of distinguished judges selected pieces that reflected technical excellence, originality, and creative use of water-based materials. Following its London presentation, the exhibition toured additional venues across the UK, reinforced the significance of watercolour within contemporary British art, and provided a platform for emerging and established artists alike.