Saatchi to front art talent show

The BBC Two show will attempt to find the next Tracy Emin

A new X Factor style television talent show will attempt to discover the next British art sensation.

The BBC Two show, presented by advertising boss and art collector Charles Saatchi, is open to all aspiring artists.

Finalists will be tutored by leading contemporary artists before exhibiting their work in St Petersburg, Russia.

Aspiring artists are being invited to apply for Saatchi's Best of British from 2 February.

'Incomprehensible'

Mr Saatchi said: "I am looking forward to the prospect of finding undiscovered British talent.

"Anyone with a fresh creative approach should enter, because nobody knows where the next art star will emerge from."

The BBC said its talent search will be open to all artistic genres including installation art, painting, digital media, sculpture, printmaking, and performance art.

Charles Saatchi, pictured in 1994, is notoriously camera shy

Executive producer Peter Dale said the series would attempt to "demystify" modern art.

He said: "The contemporary art world has famously been a controversial arena with some claiming the work is incomprehensible to the untrained eye, or created purely to shock and get headlines for the artist.

"For viewers who are passionate about this art form, the programme offers a fascinating insight behind the scenes and into the minds that create the work, what inspires it and what it means.

"For others, it will be a journey of discovery as the series makes the art more accessible."

Artists aged 18 and over can apply to www.submityourart.com.