In 2013 British artist and curator
Robert Priseman developed a series of solo painting exhibitions for the Crypt in
St Marylebone Parish Church in collaboration with The Revd Canon Stephen Evans (Rector of St Marylebone) and artist
Simon Carter. The aim of the project was to explore themes from the perspective of practicing painters which held a particular 21st century resonance. Following the initial programme of solo exhibitions at the crypt a group drawn from the exhibited painters formed an
advisory board. Out of this, a series of group exhibitions was developed along with a series of talks, reading groups and the donation of paintings by members of the group to art collections, galleries and museums in the UK and around the world. In 2014 ‘Contemporary British Painting’ launched ‘Painting of the Day’, a platform for artists to submit images of their paintings, with those selected being featured on the groups social media platforms in ‘Painting of the day’ at 11.00am each day. This was followed in 2015 by the development of a monthly ‘Reading Group’ for painters in collaboration with Westminster Art Library and
The Minories, Colchester and a painting prize which was launched in 2016. Robert Priseman decided to move on to other projects in 2019. Under successive chairs CBP adopted a constitution, became a limited company by guarantee, continued to develop exhibitions across the UK and internationally, and broadened its membership to reflect the diversity of contemporary painting practice across the United Kingdom. It established connections with galleries and in 2026 launched an annual thematic focus to its exhibitions and talks programme. Major group exhibitions included 'X, Contemporary British Painting' at Newcastle Contemporary Art in 2023. == The Contemporary British Painting Prize ==