In a powerful celebration of originality, five visionary artists from the Royal College of Art have been named winners of the first-ever Jaguar Arts Awards. Tasked with responding to the prompt “Copy Nothing,” a nod to Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons’ philosophy, the students produced work that dazzles with invention and individuality. From sculptural storytelling to automotive-inspired self-portraits, these awardees are shaping the future of contemporary art.
A New Partnership in Pursuit of Originality
Launched in collaboration with the Royal College of Art (RCA), the Jaguar Arts Awards mark a milestone in the brand’s ongoing commitment to creativity. Founded in 1837 and ranked the world’s top postgraduate art and design university for 11 consecutive years, the RCA is a global nexus of cutting-edge innovation. This new award programme, which coincided with the RCA’s prestigious RCA2025 summer show, honours students in disciplines such as Painting, Sculpture, Photography, Ceramics & Glass, Jewellery and Metal, and more.
Jaguar’s new creative direction, revealed in its Type 00 design vision at Miami Art Week last year, championed a bold reinvention of the brand’s visual language. It echoed the ethos at the heart of the awards: to “Copy Nothing” and instead pursue fearless, independent expression. “These awards will not only celebrate the remarkable talent emerging from the RCA, but also reflect our shared belief in the power of art and design to shape the future,” said RCA President and Vice-Chancellor Christoph Lindner.
The Top Honour: A Sculptural Conversation
Taking home the Gerry McGovern Award, the program’s highest accolade, was sculptor Jobe Burns for his piece Intimate Conversation. The work, composed of two fluid, brightly painted pieces of scrap steel and aluminium, suggests a dialogue between dynamic forms. Rich in movement and colour, Burns’ sculpture is a testament to transforming industrial materials into something profoundly human.
Runner-Up: The Car as Self
The runner-up, Yvann Zahui, impressed with his cinematic, chromatic triptych titled Auto-Portraits. In this striking photographic work, the car serves as a metaphor for identity and self-reflection, framing the vehicle not just as a machine, but as an emotional and personal extension of the body. Bold and conceptual, Zahui’s piece is a meditative exploration of transformation and selfhood.
Celebrating Material and Memory
The three additional winners brought unique textures, techniques, and traditions to the table:
- Emma Goring’s Modern Tradition draws on Venetian cane work, reimagining a historical craft with a sleek, contemporary twist.
- Ali Bartlett’s Illuminated Silence, a vivid oil-on-shower-curtain piece, plays with intimacy, translucency, and domesticity in unexpectedly powerful ways.
- Annabel MacIver presented Colour Wheel, a suite of five ink prints that evoke movement and emotion through a kaleidoscopic dance of hue and form.
The Jury of Visionaries
Winners were selected by a panel led by Gerry McGovern OBE, Jaguar’s Chief Creative Officer and a proud RCA alumnus. “I remember my time at the Royal College of Art fondly and it provided me with an unrivalled artistic education,” said McGovern, who has long cited the influence of British greats like Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, and David Hockney. Alongside him on the jury were RCA alumni including furniture designer Lewis Kemminoe, visual artist Ken Nwadiogbu, and members of Jaguar’s in-house creative team.
A Vision for the Future
The winning works were unveiled in June during a private awards ceremony and are now on display at the RCA’s Battersea campus as part of the RCA2025 exhibitions, with additional viewings planned at future Jaguar events. The partnership between Jaguar and the RCA is more than a collaboration; it’s a celebration of the belief that art and design have the power to shape not only objects, but entire cultures. By spotlighting these five exceptional young artists, Jaguar extends its legacy of innovation into the world of contemporary art.
Written By: Lydia Kelly
Published: 16th October 2025