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Art Not Oil at the "National Petroleum Gallery"

  • Natasha Stone
    On 13 June the Art Not Oil (ANO) exhibition kicked off outside the National Portrait Gallery in Central London. The gallery was hosting the annual presentation ceremony for the BP Portrait Award.

        ANO organisers say it was clear that after last year's blockade of the main entrance to the gallery, BP security, NPG security and the police were "taking no chances" this year. The police presence far out numbered protesters and included a special climbing team and crash barriers - which succeeded in disrupting traffic and pedestrians. However, the disruption enabled the group to explain to passers-by what was going on. Illustrating the issue with a postcard that featured Saddam Hussein sporting lapels with the BP logo on them, in front of burning oil wells.

    Support from Sewell

    Although ANO couldn't exhibit directly outside the gallery, they set up across the road and hung artwork on the crash barriers and on the base of the Edith Cavell statue (pictured). Around 25 people took part, including a "samba presence" and sound system - also helping to publicise the preparation for one of the G8 bike ride's departure.
        During the event art critic Brian Sewell, who sits on the judging panel for the BP award, came out and had a chat. Even though he said he was sympathetic, he reckoned that the encouragement to the strong painting that people were producing outweighed the politics of who was sponsoring them and the positive publicity BP may receive because of it.

    On tour

    The Art Not Oil 2005 exhibition includes paintings, photos, sculpture and other work that addresses issues such as climate, corporate public relations and the madness that proclaims "profit is king". Organisers also welcome work dealing with the impact of the oil industry on the planet, and work that suggests solutions to what these serious, but not insoluble, problems might look like.
    The exhibition is on tour throughout the rest of the year. See     http://www.artnotoil.org.uk/
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