The BP Portrait Award is a leading showcase for young artists specialising in portraiture. This book, a full catalogue of the exhibition, includes colour reproductions of the prize winners and all entries selected by the judges for display in 2002, supported by an essay from the journalist and art critic Bill Packer. Attitudes to portraiture have changed dramatically since the Award's inception in 1980. It is now one of Britain's most popular annual exhibitions, each year bringing to the fore new and sometimes undiscovered talent. William Packer's essay presents an overview of the Award and explores the growing interest in British portrait painters, setting their work within the historical context of portraiture in general and celebrating the continuing success of this prestigious event.