You may have already seen on social media but I thought I should put something on here too about the People’s Choice Prize.

The Sussex Contemporary Exhibition closed it’s doors for this year at 5pm on 22nd October after two weeks of visitors. We estimate that over 10,000 people came through our doors and saw the 146 unique artworks from Sussex artists on display. Having the Brighton i360 as our venue meant that we had a guaranteed footfall but we were delighted that many visitors had come just to see the art.

We encouraged visitors to the exhibition to vote for their favourites as part of our People’s Choice Prize which was kindly sponsored by local marketing agency Whitespace. To vote, visitors had to scan the QR code next to their favourites. Visitors could vote for more than one but could only vote once per artwork.

Last week we counted, checked and verified the votes and we were pleased to announce the winner as Tony Mills for his painting ‘Double Blue’.

Double Blue is an acrylic painting on canvas that was inspired by a favourite burger place in Brighton, and the feelings of social distance.

Many Brightonian’s will recognise this scene as this tiny takeaway is on Montpelier Road as you head to the seafront. Even if you don’t, you will at least recognise the social distancing as the figures queue to place their order.

Tony Mills spent much of his childhood drawing and painting, and at the time it seemed to many that he would naturally pursue an artistic career. However, on leaving school he recalls feeling that doing so 'wouldn’t have felt like a real job', and so he elected to go into business. For 30 years, he never picked up a paintbrush or pencil. However in 2010 a friend encouraged him to try again. Nervous and feeling that such a large gap was bound to have meant that he had squandered whatever natural talent he once had, he found a small, nurturing studio and a teacher full of natural encouragement. His teacher suggested that after such a long absence he should see if 'he could still draw'.

He immediately then moved into painting and has produced a series of atmospheric and evocative images. His inspirations are not just physical landscapes themselves but most especially the greater sense of spirituality governing them, as well as feelings that come from human relationships.

We wholeheartedly agree with the public on this and think this painting is a worthy winner of our first People’s Choice Prize.