Travers Smith LLP is delighted to announce the winners of its 2017 CSR Art Programme featuring artwork by students from the University of Westminster and Royal College of Art (RCA).
Following an exhibition of 27 shortlisted artworks selected from the degree shows of final-year undergraduates of the University of Westminster and postgraduate students from the RCA, Travers Smith has now awarded prizes to three winning artists.
A panel of expert judges selected winners in two categories, one to an undergraduate from The University of Westminster, and the second to a postgraduate student from the RCA. Each winner was awarded a cash prize of £2,000. This year's judging panel included Louise Cattrell (a former Berwick Gymnasium fellow), Joanne Shurvell (a freelance arts writer and marketing consultant) and Marc Hagan-Guirey (a design director, author and paper artist).
The winner in the University of Westminster category was Harry Martin for his artwork Zkrys (above).
In the Royal College of Art Category, the cash prize was kindly donated by Travers Smith Senior Partner, Chris Hale. The judges selected Tom Hatton as their winner in this category for his artwork I-III from 'Now Here' series (below), which features photos taken in the Calais refugee camp.
Elsie Kibue-Ngare's artwork Women in Sports, Nico Virides' The Silence of the City, Asleep at Night Untitled #1 - #4, and Katie Christian’s Allowable and Headache were also highly commended by the judging panel.
An additional prize of £2,000 was decided by a popular vote, which was open to everyone who works at Travers Smith. The winner in this category was Sang-Mi Rha for her artwork A Leap of Faith (right).
The winners were announced by judges Louise Cattrell, Marc Hagen-Guirey and Travers Smith CSR Partner Donald Lowe, at a reception in the firm’s London office on 9 May 2017.
Travers Smith’s Art Programme, which was launched in September 2015, plays an important part in the firm’s growing portfolio of CSR projects. It is principally designed to encourage and nurture final-year visual art undergraduates and postgraduates, and also assists with the transition from student life to professional practice.
In addition to showcasing and facilitating the sales of art students’ work and awarding cash prizes, the artists have also been offered a range of support including workshops on professional development and business skills and legal advice relating to their professional development as an artist.
This year's programme also includes a new dedicated space showcasing artwork which reflects two significant elements of Travers Smith's wider CSR work: supporting refugees and asylum seekers and promoting greater LGBT inclusion.
Travers Smith CSR Partner Donald Lowe commented: “Many congratulations to the winners of the 2017 Travers Smith Art Programme. We are delighted to have been able to support such a talented cohort of students from the University of Westminster and Royal College of Art. We have been very impressed by the commitment of the young artists and truly inspired by their beautiful and compelling artworks.
The Travers Smith Art Programme is an important and growing part of our CSR agenda and we are very proud of its continued success."
Professor Sarah Niblock, Associate Dean in the Westminster School of Media, Arts and Design at the University of Westminster, said: “The Travers Smith Art Programme is a tremendous initiative, and we are incredibly proud and honoured to be their selected partner. This prestigious opportunity provides emerging talent from Westminster School of Media, Arts and Design with significant public exposure as well as priceless practical support. Importantly, the project equips our graduating students with transferable skills to help them flourish professionally.”
Profession Juan Cruz, Dean of the School of Fine Art at the Royal College of Art said: "We are grateful to Travers Smith for so generously facilitating this opportunity for our students. The Travers Smith Art Programme offers students valuable support as they transition into professional life. We look forward to an ongoing and rewarding relationship with the firm, its clients and associates."
Professor Jo Stockham, Head of the Printmaking programme at the Royal College of Art, said: "The experience our students had in exhibiting at Travers Smith enabled them to have an appreciative showcase for their work in the difficult year after graduation. It was very appropriate that Tom Hatton, whose work featured images from the Calais refugee camp was chosen as the prizewinner given the Company's support for refugees. It also highlights that artwork can be a thought provoking talking point in an office environment. The legal support and training that the artists receive at Travers Smith is also vital as graduates are often self-employed and need to know the implications of this for their future working lives."