Burberry, the iconic British brand, has proudly declared the winner of the esteemed Thomas Burberry Award, which is presented by the renowned Royal Academy of Arts in London. This partnership between Burberry and the Royal Academy of Arts has been flourishing since 2005, when the brand introduced the “Burberry Foundation Fashion Design Scholarship” program. This initiative aimed to offer financial aid to fashion students studying at the prestigious institution. Since then, Burberry and the Royal Academy of Arts have maintained a close relationship, with Burberry consistently lending its support to the institution’s projects and artistic ventures, including exhibitions and cultural events. In fact, Burberry has been a partner of the preview of the Royal Academy of Arts’ summer exhibition for the past three years.
The Royal Academy of Arts, situated in the heart of London, organizes an annual summer exhibition that showcases contemporary works of art from both renowned and emerging artists. Since its inception in 1769, this exhibition has been a testament to creativity, exhibiting diverse collections from artists hailing from various corners of the globe. The summer exhibition has become a highly anticipated event on London’s artistic calendar, and it is during this event that Burberry has taken the opportunity for the past two years to unveil the winner of its prestigious Thomas Burberry Award. This award recognizes outstanding printmaking on any medium and is one of the nine awards given by the Royal Academy of Arts.
The distinguished recipient of the Thomas Burberry Award for printmaking is the talented British artist, Christine Wilkinson. Wilkinson’s exceptional art piece, titled “WASHING MACHINE II,” was selected by Burberry’s Creative Director, Daniel Lee, who has been at the helm of the brand since 2022. Wilkinson’s artwork beautifully encapsulated the exhibition theme of “Only Connect.” Alongside the honor of receiving this esteemed award, Wilkinson is also awarded a grant amounting to £20,000 (approximately €23,500).
During the event, Burberry also seized the opportunity to announce the launch of a new scholarship program. This scholarship is intended to cover the tuition fees and living expenses in London for a deserving student studying at the Royal Academy of Arts. The newly established award and scholarship pay tribute to the brand’s founder and emblemize Burberry’s ardent dedication to nurturing young British creatives and bolstering its support for contemporary art and culture in its home country.
Art enthusiasts and admirers alike can visit the Royal Academy of Arts’ summer exhibition, which will be held at Burlington House in London until August 20, 2023.
Useful links:
– Royal Academy of Arts
– Burberry
