The Italthai Portrait Prize is back and open for submissions

Whether you’re a professional or amateur, if you have a passion for art, the renowned Italthai Portrait Prize 2024 is now accepting submissions.

When it comes to portraits, this type of art piece is more than just painting a beautiful face. They reveal culture, psychology, and societal context, and reflect on our time and nation. To show appreciation for this line of work and also to Thailand’s local artists, the annual portraiture competition was created.

[All images courtesy of River City Bangkok]

About the Italthai Portrait Prize 2024

The Italthai Portrait Prize invites artists of any background across the country to display their skills to the public, collectors, galleries, and the media. This year, the prestigious competition makes a return, uniting exceptional talent and innovation in portraiture. With a total prize of THB 900,000, the competition enters its fourth year with its principal sponsor, Italthai Group, and host, River City Bangkok.

The competition requires all competitors to create a portrait from a live sitting. As for the sitter, it is encouraged to choose a subject beyond the painter’s social circle, preferably someone who has made a significant impact or left an indelible imprint on Thailand. Winners will be rewarded with a cash prize, in addition to receiving priceless recognition and visibility within the realm of fine arts. The portraits that make it to the final round will also be showcased in the 2024 Italthai Portrait Prize Exhibition. Moreover, the artists will have a chance to win the Portrait Prize, which comes with a THB 500,000 reward. There’s also a reward of THB 200,000 for the Packing Room Prize, THB 100,000 for the Youth Prize, and THB 100,000 for the People’s Choice Prize.

2024 Schedule

Friday, 1 March: Entries Open via www.portraitprizethailand.com

Monday, 30 June: Entries Close

Thursday, 26 September: Portrait Prize, Packing Room Prize, and Youth Prize Winners announced                     

Friday, 27 September: Finalists Exhibition at River City Bangkok opens to the public

Judging Panel

The 2024 competition marks a very special year as two new esteemed judges enter the panel: Ms Adulaya Hoontrakul, Director of the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC), and Mr Voranai Vanijaka, journalist & college lecturer.

Other remaining members include Mr Yuthachai Charanachitta, Group CEO of Italthai Group, Mrs Pranapda Chirathivat, Founder of Dragonfly360 and President of Siam Music Yamaha Co., Ltd., M.L. Kathathong Thongyai, Assistant Director – General of Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, Mr Tom Van Blarcom, Managing Director of Total Quality PR (Thailand) Co., Ltd., and Ms Naphalai Areesorn, Editorial consultant, Thailand’s Favourite Restaurants by Koktail. With a total of seven opinion leaders from the business, public and private sectors, we’re sure that the winner of this year’s Italthai Portrait Prize is a rising star ready to shine.

Submissions open on 1 March 2024 and close on 30 June 2024. Please visit Portrait Prize Thailand’s website here for further guidelines and entry information.