In 1957 John Moores (1896 - 1993) sponsored a competition for contemporary artists at Liverpool's Walker Art Gallery, with the intention of showcasing the best of new British painting.

The John Moores, as it is always known, has since been held approximately every two years. It has become one of the most familiar events in the British art world and now forms one of the four main strands of the Liverpool Biennial.

The roll-call of past John Moores prizewinners reads like a ‘who’s who’ of British painting over the past 50 years adding to this in 2006, Martin won first prize with his oil on canvas, 'Before Vermeer’s Clouds'.

The jury included two of the biggest names in British art, conceptual artist Tracey Emin and Sir Peter Blake. They were joined by former John Moores' prizewinner Jason Brooks, curator of fine art at the Walker Art Gallery, Ann Bukantas and Director of Visual Arts at the British Council, Andrea Rose. with John Moores and, since 1993, with the John Moores Liverpool Exhibition Trust).

Click here to read a BBC article covering the story.