Possible Clues:

• Consolation prize recipient
• Into the bargain, artist has fourth painting that's not in the frame!
• One that didn't show?
• One who didn't make it to the office?
• One set off but got no place
• No-hoper was a candidate too
• It's not among the top few journals or annuals to display
• Second-rate performer: a computer network endlessly troubled internally
• Loser was in a hurry as well
• Too frank, essentially: he didn't get a place