The UK’s biggest national open exhibition for contemporary painters, selected by a jury of experts, came of age in 1999 and formed a central attraction for the Liverpool Biennial. Founded in 1957 by Sir John Moores of Littlewoods Pools fame, the exhibition is held every two years with a consistent track record for spotting rising talent.

Previous artists who have exhibited include David Hockney, John Bratby, Chris Ofili and Callum Innes. From thousands of entries the shortlist for this year’s exhibition was drawn up by best-selling author and academic Germaine Greer, chief art critic of The Times Richard Cork, artist and previous exhibitor Mark Francis, previous winner Dan Hays and Director of Birmingham’s Ikon Gallery, Elizabeth A. Macgregor.

This year’s acclaimed winner was Michael Raedecker with his multi-layered work Mirage. (Mirage image © National Museums Liverpool)