On November 4th 2021, some of the nation’s best-emerging artists filled the iconic Saatchi Gallery in London for The Robert Walters UK New Artists of the Year 2021. This award looks to discover and champion the work of exceptional young artists whose work and vision represent contemporary Britain.
The artwork on display that night was stunning; you could imagine the judges finding it rather challenging to make a decision. As the artists and crowd waited anxiously for the results, 2019 winner Conor Rogers took to the podium to announce Catriona Robertson had secured second place and received £5,000 prize money for her installation sculpture.
But sailing to victory and crowned as The Robert Walters UK New Artists of the Year was London based Dutch artist Anne von Freyburg. For her twenty-first-century take on the Rococo aesthetic that reimagines the historic decorative materially to subvert the female gaze, the feminine and the pretty that yields a beautiful appearance. The London-based artist took to stage to receive her award and a £10,000 prize money complemented by a huge ovation from the audience.
“The 2019 Awards discovered some of the most compelling new artists working today and I’m excited to see how a new generation has faced the extraord”The 2019 Awards discovered some of the most compelling new artists working today and I’m excited to see how a new generation has faced the extraordinary pressures and challenges of the last year and how this will inform their artistic practice as they look to the future.“, Michelle Bowen, Director of UK New Artists
Molly Kent 
Maayan Sophia Weisstub
Von Freyburg was shortlisted with nine other artist’s from a record-breaking 963 submissions for the second edition of the Robert Walters UK New Artist of the Year. Overall a great night of art and community in artistic surroundings.
Aimee Melaugh 
Wesley George
“The past year has been difficult for a number of industries and even more so for our arts and culture sector – an industry that simply would not have the chance of survival were it not for both public and private funding. Providing a steppingstone for ambitious individuals is what the foundation of Robert Walters Group is built on. And now, more than ever, when so many people have had a rare opportunity to step into and act on their genuine passions – such as the arts – I feel proud that we are able to champion such inspiring work in the hope of launching careers from the next generation of exceptional artists.“, Robert Walters, CEO of Robert Walters Group
Jarvis Brookfield Lucy Gregory
If you are interested in submitting your work for next year’s Robert Walters UK New Artist of the Year award, head over to their website for more information.
View this years exhibition online at UKNA viewing room
Shortlisted Artists
• Aimee Melaugh (Derry)
• Anne von Freyburg (London)
• Catriona Robertson (London)
• Jarvis Brookfield (Leicester)
• Jukka Virkkunen (London)
• Lucy Gregory (London)
• Maayan Sophia Weisstub (London)
• Molly Kent (Edinburgh)
• Sam Tahmassebi (London)
• Wesley George (London)
About Robert Walters Group
Robert Walters Group is a global recruitment group committed to powering people and organisations to fulfil their unique potential. With vast experience in helping professionals grow their careers, Robert Walters Group is now aiming to help emerging UK artists express their unique voices and launch their artistic careers.
About UK New Artists (UKNA)
UK New Artists (UKNA) is a registered national charity that champions the next generation of creativity, supporting collaboration and intercultural dialogue, ensuring a vibrant and diverse creative future for the UK. We develop artists’ practice through cross art form opportunities and celebrate creativity at national & international festivals.
https://www.uknewartists.co.uk/
©2021 The Robert Walters Group, UKNA,
Len is a curator and a contributing writer at Art Plugged, a platform for contemporary art; he also engages in web development, design, and marketing.
