The BP Portrait Award, now in its 24th year, is a popular fixture on the summer calendar, and is the leading showcase for young artists specialising in portraiture. The competition is open to artists from around the world and last year received a record-number of over 800 entrants, all competing for the main prize of [pound]25,000. As well as featuring all the entries from this year's competition, this arresting book charts the extraordinary portraits and frescoes of last year's winner of the BP Travel Award. Published to accompany the major exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, London, from 17 June to 19 September 2004, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter from 2 October to 13 November and at the Aberdeen Art Gallery from 4 December 2004 to 22 January 2005.