TURPS BANANA is an exquisitely produced and erudite painting magazine written exclusively by painters. Admired by many for the breadth and range of the features and for its independence, Turps Banana does not carry any advertising giving it a unique and fresh position in the art world, and by so doing creating an objective distance from the perils of ‘fashion’ and an empowerment to painters from different generations through regular in-depth interviews with art world heavyweights to recent graduates.

Che Lovelace's Siamese Gorillas 2006

The Directors of Vigo request the pleasure of your company for the private view of  an exhibition to raise funds for the Turps Art School opening in September on Tuesday 17th of July 2012. The exhibition is curated by Marcus Harvey and Peter Ashton Jones. Opening reception and Champagne from 6-8pm. The exhibition continues until 17 August 2012. To RSVP call 020 7491 1490 or email . Visit www.turpsbanana.com for more info.

Participating Aritsts Include:

PHIL ALLEN - DINOS CHAPMAN - NIGEL COOKE - ALEXIS HARDING - MARCUS HARVEY - ALEX KATZ - GAVIN LOCKHEART - PETER ASHTON JONES - CHANTAL JOFFE - CHE LOVELACE - HARLAND MILLER - MALI MORRIS - RYAN MOSLEY - THOMAS NOZKOWSKI - NEAL TAIT

Che Lovelace's 'Body, (Wiggler)' 2011

In September 2012, Turps will open the doors of its new art school based in Bermondsey. The one-year course aims to provide an intense mentoring structure for committed painters and, as well as a back to basics approach, Turps will have the support and involvement of some of the most illustrious painters who have worked with the magazine during the publication of 11 issues. Although artists have donated works to help to support the magazine and the development of the art school, this exhibition has been carefully considered to reflect that which is current, significant and critical in contemporary painting, including abstract works by Thomas Nozkowski, Mali Morris and Phil Allen, and painters who have championed a figurative approach such as Chantal Joffe, Neal Tait and Dinos Chapman. The show will change with new works being added during the course of the exhibition.

About the school:

In September 2012, Turps will be launching a 12-month intensive programme of mentoring, dynamic group seminars, talks and lectures for painters. Based at the V22 Studio complex in Bermondsey, London each participant will be provided with approx. 200 sq ft within the Turps Banana college with 24 hour access, 7 days a week. Each will receive one on one tutorial sessions with a dedicated mentor and participate in dynamic group seminars with the other course members and staff team.

Uniquely, participants will be actively encouraged to request a number of visits from an extensive group of high profile international painters associated with Turps and a wider UK painting community. The programme will culminate in a ‘Graduation’ show towards the end of the year in London, and possible touring. The core programme will be run by a team of artists drawn from the Turps Editorial Board and led by Marcus Harvey and Peter Ashton Jones.

Turps will also be launching an online correspondence course later in 2012. For more information on application procedure, fees and further detail please email: