RCA graduates honoured at inaugural Jaguar Arts Awards

The Royal College of Art (RCA) is pleased to announce the graduate winners of the first-ever Jaguar Arts Awards. The awards, created in collaboration with Jaguar, celebrate five bold and original creatives whose work aligns with the creative ethos 'Copy Nothing', inspired by the pioneering vision of Jaguar founder, Sir William Lyons. Winners were awarded bursaries in July as they graduated from the RCA, intended to support their progress as independent artists post-education.

Jobe Burns was awarded the programme's highest accolade, the Gerry McGovern Award for his sculpture 'Intimate Conversation'. The work, which layers luminous automotive paint onto salvaged steel and aluminium, was celebrated for its evocative blend of craftsmanship, emotional depth and its strong conceptual foundation. The piece was particularly noted for its dynamic use of colour, which defies the uniform precision typical of automotive paint and instead showcases an unexpected tactile, painterly quality.

The Jaguar Award was presented to runner-up Yvann Zahui for 'Auto-Portraits', a photographic triptych that reimagines the car as an extension of self. The bursary has supported Zahui in exploring new directions and techniques within the photography medium.

Three additional Jaguar Awards were presented to Emma Goring for ‘Modern Tradition’, Ali Bartlett for ‘Illuminated Silence’, and Annabel McIver for ‘Colour Wheel’, in recognition of their outstanding creative work.

The awards reflect the RCA’s and Jaguar’s ongoing commitment to the arts and creativity, as well as a desire to support those at the early stages of their creative professions.