Culture
OU Alumnus’ Painting Chosen for London Art Gallery
< < Back to ou-alumnus-painting-chosen-for-london-art-galleryAn Ohio University alumnus has been named a finalist for an international award presented by the National Portrait Gallery in London.
Artist Frank Oriti, 31, who earned his MFA in Painting from Ohio University’s School of Art in 2011, will have one of his portraits on display as part of the world-renowned BP Portrait Award competition.
“It’s epic,” Ohio University Professor John Sabraw said of the distinction. “It’s the most prestigious award in terms of portraiture, without question.”
Oriti’s portrait, an oil painting entitled Clarity, was one of 55 selected from 2,748 submissions from around the world for the exhibition, which runs from June 18 to September 20 at the National Portrait Gallery. Cash prizes will go to the winner of the award, as well as to second- and third-place finishers. Winners will be announced during an awards ceremony June 16.
Sabraw, who was Oriti’s mentor at Ohio University, called the honor “well-deserved” and added that it “couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.” Oriti’s portraiture focuses on subjects—including his family and friends—who grew up in the “suburban landscape” outside of Cleveland, where he was raised. After college, Oriti spent time working at a local steel mill and later, while at Ohio University, he began a body of work that is inspired by what he calls “blue collar culture.”
Like many of the paintings that will be featured at the London exhibit, Oriti’s work is characterized by the high level of detail involved.
“The difference with Frank’s realism is the realism isn’t the end goal,” said Sabraw. “The end goal is the soul of the sitter—the person that he’s trying to portray.”
Describing the experience as “a dream come true,” Oriti expressed thanks to the people who have “played a part in getting me to this point so far.” He credited Sabraw and other professors at OU for pushing him in the right direction.
“Ever since I knew that this show existed I’ve wanted to be a part of it,” said Oriti. “and now I have my chance.”
Oriti received the Cleveland Arts Prize “Emerging Artist” award in 2013. His work has been represented at the Richard J. Demato Gallery, in Sag Harbor, New York, and the Bonfoey Gallery, in Cleveland.