Last week [Thursday 10th November] saw Sofia Laskari crowned as the winner of this year’s Robert Walters Group UK New Artist of the Year Award in a VIP awards evening held at the Saatchi Gallery, London.
Sofia was recipient of the £10,000 cash prize presented by global recruitment consultancy Robert Walters Group, after being selected ahead of the other nine shortlisted artists for work submitted under the brief ‘The Journey of Self Actualisation: Exploring the Illusion of Greener Grass and the Pursuit of the Dream’.
Sofia – based in London – impressed the judges with her interpretation of the brief, in her trio of paintings titled ‘Happy Birthday’. The collection of works hold a very personal significance to the artist in their exploration and handling of the physical and mental state of a person who is still reeling from their experiences.
A subject matter which is sharply contrasted by a seemingly cheery imagery – bringing up lots of questions for the viewer about how personal trials and tribulations are won and lost – as well as the fine line between success and failure. The winning piece of work will be on display at the Robert Walters Group head office in Covent Garden, London, for 12 months.
Following the ceremony, a virtual gallery showcasing all the shortlisted artists’ works is now live.
Sofia Laskari, winner of Robert Walters Group UK New Artist of the Year Award 2023, commented: “What an amazing event, that was delicately curated and supported by the most professional, sensitive and open-minded people.
“Winning this award has made me proud of myself and standing for my personal and honest brutality. I had a chance to exhibit amongst 10 great artists and be seen by a large group of art professionals and art lovers, and be able to finally connect with a lot of people on the level I wanted to.’
“I am thankful to the team of UKNA and to Robert Walters Group for organising the event and having a moment to listen to me and look at my work. As well as thankful to Garth Gratrix, who so carefully curated the show.”
Kim Thompson, runner-up for of Robert Walters Group UK New Artist of the Year Award 2023, commented: “I’m absolutely thrilled and honoured to receive the runner up prize! Attending the Robert Walters Group UK New Artist Awards ceremony as a guest two years ago was a huge motivating factor for me, inspiring, and fuelled my practice.
“To return to Saatchi this year as a selected finalist, to exhibit amongst such hugely talented fellow artists, and now to receive this prize feels very validating and a real privilege.
“The support of UKNA has been critical to my creative development as a new artist, and the Robert Walters Group award and event will make a huge difference to my practice moving forward. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my work, connect with so many via my art, and for the access to more time, space, materials that the prize will allow for.
“My current work is an ongoing legacy project which aims to uplift, document and preserve marginalised narratives in a meaningful way. This work feels urgent and important – I’m so happy to be able to continue developing it and my practice having received this boost!”
The award sets out to discover and champion exceptional emerging artists who are representative of contemporary Britain, and brings together three leading organisations – global recruitment consultancy Robert Walters Group, leading arts charity UK New Artists, and renowned contemporary art platform Saatchi Gallery – to help provide a career springboard for up-and-coming artists.
The awards ceremony and finalist exhibition at Saatchi Gallery was curated by Garth Gratrix – an international artist, curator, Clore Visual Arts Fellow, and studio director based in the northwest. Gratrix’s work often showcases cross-disciplinary practices in diverse and unique settings.
The 10 artists’ works were judged by a panel including: Michelle Bowen – Director of UK New Artists; Alex Zawadzki – Founder of the Second Act Gallery; Habib Hajallie – artist and winner of the 2022 UK New Artist of the Year awards; Harold Offeh – artist & educator; Paul Foster – Director of Saatchi Gallery; and Inger Margrethe Stoveland – Director of Fluks – Centre for Young Art.
Selected from over 1,600 artists, the 2023 finalists were: Damaris Athene (London), William Bacon (Oxford), Parham Ghalamdar (Manchester), Sofia Laskari (London), Kieran Leach (Manchester), Elena Njoabuzia Onwochei-Garcia (Glasgow/Macclesfield), Edward Rollitt (Winchester), Anna Tong (London), Pascal Ungerer (Cork, Ireland) and Kim Thompson (Nottingham).
Toby Fowlston, CEO of Robert Walters Group comments: “Since its inception the Robert Walters Group UK New Artist Award has offered us the opportunity to provide a launch pad for the career of a talented emerging artist on an annual basis – as well as admire their incredible bodies of work.
“I want to extend my congratulations to all of the shortlisted artists, as well as our 2023 winner Sofia, we look forward to following your budding career in the world of art.”
