Conor was named as the winner of the Robert Walters Group UK Young Artist of the Year Award, at an awards ceremony held at the prestigious Saatchi Gallery [Monday 7 October]. He was recipient to 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 within the brief of ‘Diversity.’
Specifically, for his winning pieces Conor focused on using ice pop wrappers, unused betting slips and discarded drug baggies. His works of art tend to be influenced by a very personal relationship he has with a time or place, combined with a critical approach towards painting as an object. The subjects of his ideas can touch upon varying concerns and interests towards our everyday British environments, daily happenings, northern council life, cultural identities, and the sense of self in Northern Britain.
“I am so humbled at the support people have shown me and i can only offer in return a sincere thank you and a promise that I will keep sharing my passion with you all. This award embodies every single young aspiring artist, we make work even though the world can seem completely against us. This is one of my proudest moments and I will always treasure the experience.”
Camilla Hanney was awarded a cash prize of £5,000 as the runner up to go towards the development of her future career in the industry. London-based Camilla Hanney, 27, created a stir on the evening with her ephemeral floor installation – ‘The Fragile Texture of Desires’ – which explores both the fragility of the human condition and the complex nature of our desires. Her second piece of work on display – ‘Domestic Pleasure’ – plays with the tropes of the witch. The broomstick presents us with a symbol of the oppressed powerful woman who was demonised because of her sexuality.Special congratulations to Camilla Haney for the runner up prize, and too all other artists involved.
Robert Walters, Camilla Hanney, Michael Forbes and Michelle Bowen. Photo by Reece Straw.
“Being recognised in this award not only provides me with the peace of mind conferred by the financial resources to continue my practice and explore new creative ground, it has also granted me the confidence in my work and a sense of support. At this very early, precarious stage in my career I believe feeling supported holds immeasurable worth.”
Camilla Hanney. Photo by Reece Straw
“We were so pleased to see the positive reception to the shortlisted work on display last night. Providing opportunities for ambitious professionals to achieve their potential is the foundation of our business and as an organisation it was a privilege to be able to provide such a platform for young artists in the UK. We are looking forward to the return of the Robert Walters Group UK Young Artist of the Year Award next year.”
“The shortlist for the first Robert Walters Group UK Young Artist of the Year has been exceptional and UKYA thanks all ten finalists for their outstanding contributions. We would like to congratulate Conor Rogers on winning the award and look forward to working with him over the coming year on an exciting international project.
“We also wish continued success to our runner up Camilla Hanney. Collaborating with Robert Walters Group and Saatchi Gallery is an important new development for UKYA, which is already helping us reach new audiences and support more artists.”
“I would like to thank the finalists for their outstanding contributions to the Award. It has been a pleasure collaborating with Robert Walters Group and UK Young Artists to facilitate the discovery of exceptional artists representing UK’s diverse population.
“Congratulations to Conor Rogers on being awarded Robert Walters Group UK Young Artist of the Year, and well done to runner up Camilla Hanney for her remarkable effort. The artist’s participations have been important in the culmination of the project, and we look forward to continuing our mission to providing a platform for talented, emerging young artists.”