Channel 4 launches 'Art-Idol' competition

LONDON, June 24 (UPI) -- London's Channel 4 and artist Charles Saatchi have teamed up with some of the biggest names in British contemporary art to launch an "Art-Idol" competition.

The competition has the ultimate goal of finding new "Young British Artists," The Independent reported Sunday.

After receiving hundreds of application from art students, 20 contestants have been chosen to compete in "The 4 New Sensation" competition.

A panel of some of Britain's most famous artists has been compiled to judge the show. They include: Antony Gormley, Sadie Coles, Tim Marlow, Anita Zabludowicz and Kevin Lygo, who is the Channel 4 director of television.

Coles said she would judge on the artists' ability to "develop a language that is theirs alone."

"I will be looking for something that surprises me, that indicates potential for development and makes me think," she said. "Homage to other artists is OK. Pastiche or plagiarism is not. There is so much more good contemporary and old art to see in London that it should have a positive effect."