Finally, the big day arrived! The opening of the Pastel Society Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London, 2023 and the time to select the Mamut Prize winner among all the amazing artists exhibiting their work.

The theme of this year's Pastel Society Exhibition is “Pastel without Boundaries”. The title of the exhibition reflects the enthusiasm the Pastel Society have for their chosen medium, Pastel, as well as their hope to spread the word about it to all age groups.

In their own words, “where else would you find around 1600 colours, as are available in Soft Pastel, ready to use straight away?” Pastel painters are quite special!

The Pastel Society Exhibition, Mall Galeries, London - ©photo by Alain (Mamut Pastels) 2023

This year I had the chance to (finally!) attend the painting exhibition and, at last, meet so many people I have been following on Instagram as of late. Many of them are amazing artists and painters with which I have been in contact through the internet. I must admit I was quite nervous, as I have so much respect for them and their work.

The welcome was really warm, and I felt the need to share how much the event exceeded my expectations in my blog.

Visiting The Pastel Society Exhibition, Mall Galeries, London - ©photo by Alain (Mamut Pastels) 2023

Members of the Pastel Society reviewing candidates’ portfolios, Mall Galleries, London 2023 - ©photo by Alain (Mamut Pastels) 2023

I arrived at the Mall Galleries one hour before the opening, to meet the crew and to attend the event. Surprisingly, one of the first persons I met was the winner of the Mamut Prize, Ms. Sarah Bee. It was a very warm and emotional encounter in the jury room. Meanwhile, some of the members of the Pastel Society were reviewing many candidates’ portfolios, to decide if they would be able to become a part of this prestigious Society, in a very informal environment.

Ms. Sarah Bee and I had an enthusiastic conversation about art, life, pastel techniques and Soft Pastels as the central topic of the conversation. I was also able to see her work up close with all the explanations and insights.

It is so different to see a work of art on the screen through Internet than it is to see it live, with all the textures and details…and, of course, accompanied by the artist!

Ms. Sarah Bee, winner of the Mamut Prize 2023, with her paintings - ©photo by Alain (Mamut Pastels) 2023

“Winter sun by the Dart”, by Ms. Sarah Bee, Soft Pastel and acrylic 59x59cm; Mamut Prize 2023 winner - ©photo by Alain (Mamut Pastels) 2023

As the conversation progressed I was more and more convinced that I had made the right choice on choosing one of her artworks for the Mamut Prize. Her pastel paintings are passionate, impetuous and spontaneous. Her work is consistent and solid, leaving room for the viewers, while immersing them in a strange but suggestive nature atmosphere. I sincerely recommend visiting Sarah Bee´s website and taking a look at her paintings.

Time flew while looking at one after another amazing work of art, all of which were exhibited on the walls of the Mall Galleries. I was fascinated by the creativity of many of the painters, as well as the freedom that was expressed in their strokes, their technique, and the treatment of the supporting elements. The paintings expressed no fear and no boundaries. Full creative freedom and a lot of experimentation with pastel that are not often seen in so many exhibitions.

“Through Lines”, Pastel 42x42 cm, by Kaija Bulbrook - ©photo by Alain (Mamut Pastels) 2023

Selected works at the Mall galleries, London 2023 - ©photo by Alain (Mamut Pastels) 2023

Pastel painting by Jeannette Hayes PPPS - ©photo by Alain (Mamut Pastels) 2023

Pastel painting by Glenys Ambrus PS ARCA - ©photo by Alain (Mamut Pastels) 2023

The atmosphere of the event was fabulous! Truly enthusiastic people, lovers of art, culture, painting, and Pastel... Soft Pastel, Hard Pastel, Oil pastel, water-based pastel and other dry mediums. But above all, that youthful enthusiasm which is so difficult to find in ‘grown up’ people abounds here. And it is contagious.

It is without a doubt that this project is being moved forward thanks to all these passionate pastel painters with a common goal: to make the wonderful world of Pastel known to those who, for one reason or another, have not yet come close to it.

A view of the Mall Galleries Exhibition, London 2023 - ©photo by Alain (Mamut Pastels) 2023

Ms. Cheryl Culver PPS RBA, and Ms. Hala Shafet PSA PS - ©photo by Alain (Mamut Pastels) 2023

Exhibition at the Pastel Society 2023 - ©photo by Alain (Mamut Pastels) 2023

Conversations at the Mall galleries - ©photo by Alain (Mamut Pastels) 2023

Artwork of Halla Shafey PSA PS, 2023, Mall Galleries, London - ©photo by Alain (Mamut Pastels) 2023

Detail of the artwork “Family”, by Curtis Holder - ©photo by Alain (Mamut Pastels) 2023

Mr. Alistair Redgrift, Head of FBA Exhibitions - ©photo by Alain (Mamut Pastels) 2023

I return home delighted and very happy! Even more so after listening to the speech of the Association´s president, Mr. Rees, from which I want to share this short excerpt: “Pastel has attracted more myths than any other art medium. “They are incredibly fragile”, “The colours fade”, “Only amateurs use pastel”, “Pastel limits a painter´s artistic expression”, “It is no more than a sketching tool” – the list goes on and on. These myths do not help in promoting the medium and are all categorically inaccurate.”

You can easily test how inaccurate those myths are by visiting the Mall Galleries Exhibition. I thank from here the Pastel Society for creating this wonderful event and letting me be part of it.

Mamut Prize at The Pastel Society Exhibition 2023

MAMUT Handmade Soft Pastels

Mamut Prize at The Pastel Society Exhibition 2023

Central Mass Pastel Society Awards 2023

Robert Weinblatt. Soft Pastel Painter

MAMUT Handmade Soft Pastels