Powering a new generation of UK artists to fulfil their unique potential.

The Robert Walters Group and UK New Artists, in collaboration with Saatchi Gallery, is proud to present the Robert Walters Group UK New Artist of the Year Award. The award helps to discover and champion the work of exceptional young artists whose work and vision represent contemporary Britain.

From an open call across the UK, we provide a platform for ten finalists whose work demonstrates a strong and original voice, and is of exceptional artistic quality. In the process, we look for artists who represent the UK's richly diverse population and embody the experiences of their respective communities — artists who create bold, unique pieces of art that reveal their own perspectives and experiences, and who represent original viewpoints that will start new conversations across the UK art scene.

Announcing the 2022 winnners 

We are delighted to announce that the winner of the Robert Walters Group UK New Artist of the Year Award 2022 is Habib Hajallie.

Congratulations also to Tyreis Holder, who took home second prize.

 And a massive round of applause to Rodrigues Gonçalves, winner of the People's Choice Award.

About the Award

In 2019 the award posed the question, What is Contemporary Britain? and presented 10 exceptional artists from over 500 submissions. In 2021 the award asked, Where do we go from here? Is there to be a 'new normal'? and presented 10 exceptional artists from almost 1,000 submissions.

For 2022, the award is interested in works which address the theme, ‘The Unimagined Future’.

It has been noted that  85% of jobs that will exist in 2030 haven't been invented yet, what else has yet to be thought about? What else has yet to be invented? Where will creative thought and ideas be in the next decade, what needs to change?

The 10 shortlisted artists’ work will be exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery in London for a VIP awards evening, as well as in a virtual gallery space, online for one month following the award.

First Prize:
£10,000 cash prize
The winner’s work will be shown at the Robert Walters Group head office for a period of 12 months following the award

Second Prize: 
£5,000 cash prize 

People’s Choice Award:
Decided by a public vote during the virtual exhibition 14th November - 10th January and announced on Thursday 12th January

The winner will have the opportunity to take part in one of UK New Artists’ international presentations.

Saatchi Gallery Exhibition - UKNA 2022 finalists

Have a look at the 2022 finalist exhibition, all of the remarkable work the artists showcased and the winners' excitement as they received their prize!

About the partners

ROBERT WALTERS GROUP
Robert Walters Group is a global recruitment group committed to powering people and organisations to fulfil their unique potential. With vast experience in helping professionals grow their careers, Robert Walters Group is now aiming to help emerging UK artists express their unique voices and launch their artistic careers.

For more information, visit www.robertwaltersgroup.com.

UK NEW ARTISTS (UKNA)
UK New Artists (UKNA) is a registered national charity that champions the next generation of creativity, supporting collaboration and intercultural dialogue, ensuring a vibrant and diverse creative future for the UK. We develop artists’ practice through cross art form opportunities and celebrate creativity at national & international festivals.

Learn more at www.uknewartists.co.uk.

SAATCHI GALLERY
Since 1985, Saatchi Gallery has provided an innovative platform for contemporary art. Exhibitions have presented works by largely unseen young artists, or by international artists whose work has been rarely or never exhibited in the UK. This approach has made the Gallery one of the most recognised names in contemporary art. Since moving to its current 70,000 square foot space in the Duke of York’s Headquarters in Chelsea, London, the Gallery has welcomed over 10 million visitors. The Gallery hosts over 5,000 schools visits annually and has over 6 million followers on social media. In 2019 Saatchi Gallery became a charity, beginning a new chapter in its history.

For more information, visit www.saatchigallery.com.