What is Showdown?

Welcome to Showdown, an online competition where artists can showcase their work and be given the chance for it to be judged by internationally acclaimed artists and curators. The winner will be invited to display their art at the Saatchi Gallery in London.

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Meet the Judges for Saatchi Online Abstract Showdown

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Peter Coffin

Artist (Image Credit: Aura Portrait (Peter) 2000 ©Peter Coffin

Peter is the final round judge and will be selecting the winners.

Peter Coffin’s interdisciplinary practice explores conceptual point of view and is motivated by the desire to connect with the kind of understanding that invites new perspective and engenders further inquiry.

His artwork often integrates an informal objectivity with the subjective to generate a dynamic between the two. Coffin has mounted solo exhibitions at Herald St. Gallery, London (2011), Galerie Emmanuel Perroin (2010), Manhattan’s City Hall Park with the Public Art Fund (2009 – 2010), the Centre d’art Contemporain d’Ivry in Paris (2010), the Barbican Gallery, London (2009), the Aspen Art Museum, Colorado (2009), the CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Art, San Francisco (2009), Centre d’Art Contemporain, Fribourg, Switzerland (2009), Andrew Kreps Gallery, NY (2008), Palais de Tokyo Museum, Paris, France (2007), Palais de Tokyo, Paris (2007), le Confort Moderne, Poitier, France (2007) and the Horticultural Society of New York (2007).

His work has been featured in group exhibitions at the Le Musee Oceanographique, Monaco, Museo D’Arte Contemporanea Rome, the Museo de Arte Contemporanea de Vigo, Spain, the Tate Britain, London, the Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst, Zurich and international biennials in London, Berlin, Belgrade, Liverpool, and Moscow. Peter Coffin’s work is in collections including the Museum of Modern Art, NY, the Guggenheim Museum, NY, The Boston Museum of Fine Arts, The French National Arts Council Collection among others.

Currently Coffin is a Smithsonian Research Fellow and is preparing solo exhibitions with the Schirn Kunsthalle in Frankfurt and the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington D.C. in 2013.


Rebecca Wilson

Director, Saatchi Gallery London

Rebecca will lead the second round of judging. She will help select 30 artists who will advance to the final round.

In May 2006, Rebecca Wilson brought her expertise from 14 years in book and art magazine publishing to the Saatchi Gallery, where she launched an online daily magazine for the gallery's expanding website. In 2007 she created New Sensations, a prize for art students which identifies and supports the most exciting emerging artists. The prize is run in the UK with Channel 4. As well as working on Saatchi Online, she is Director of the Saatchi Gallery in London. Prior to joining The Saatchi Gallery, Rebecca was editor of ArtReview, and before that deputy editor of Modern Painters.


Nina Miall

Director, Haunch of Venison, London

Nina will participate in the second round of judging. She will help select 30 artist who will advance to the final roud.

Nina Miall is a director at leading contemporary art gallery Haunch of Venison, in London. In recent years she has curated exhibitions by Philippe Parreno, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Zhang Huan, Eve Sussman, Mat Collishaw and Jitish Kallat, among others. From 2002-2005 Nina ran the Public Programme at London's Royal Academy of Arts, before undertaking a Masters in contemporary art at the Courtauld Institute. She has written widely on contemporary art, contributing essays and interviews to exhibition catalogues and to publications such as Art & Australia and the Saatchi Gallery website. She sits on the board of trustees for Beaconsfield, a non-profit artist-run space in London.


Margo Spiritus

CEO, Saatchi Online

An innovative digital executive and entrepreneur, Margo is Saatchi Online’s CEO. Responsible for the vision, growth and direction of the company, she also runs the day-to-day operations.

Margo began her career in the West Wing of the White House where, as a member of the President’s staff, she was responsible for executing everything from Oval Office meetings to Rose Garden ceremonies.

After Washington, Margo spent nearly 15 years as a marketing and business development executive in NYC launching and growing venture backed consumer internet companies as well as working with lifestyle and luxury brands to help develop digital growth strategies.

Most recently Margo was VP, Marketing & Business Development at pingg.com, a Martha Stewart funded venture where she was responsible for development, launch and global rollout of the company. Prior to that, Margo was Vice President of Marketing at CSTV Networks Inc. when it was acquired by CBS for $325 million.

The daughter of one of the pioneers of the fine arts photography business, Margo’s deep appreciation for art and keen eye were shaped by childhood visits to the studios of photographic luminaries including Ansel Adams. The great Yousuf Karsh, George Tice and Paul Caponigro were also among many of the icons she had the great fortune of knowing. It’s no surprise that Margo developed a keen eye and passion for art, something she combines with her digital marketing expertise to lead the growth of Saatchi Online.

Margo holds a BA in Political Science and French Literature from Smith College. She is an inquisitive adventurer, off the beaten path traveler, book worm, tech, art and design lover among other things.

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