Acclaimed British artist Denzil Forrester has been announced as the recipient of the Robson Orr TenTen Award 2024 by the Government Art Collection. Every year a British artist is commissioned to create a unique, limited edition print. Forrester's print, Altar, depicts a scene from a reggae festival in Cornwall, where the artist now lives and works.
Pulsating with rhythm, Forrester's expressive depictions of dance halls and clubs capture crowds of people moving in unison with the beat of the music. Flashes of vivid colour, gestural brushstrokes and frenetic compositions characterise his work. Forrester explains: “I just wanted to draw movement, action and expression."
“The print for the Government Art Collection celebrates Cornwall nightlife. I’ve shown how light and sound distort the space, and used an aerial view to watch the scene unfold from above. So it incorporates a lot of what I use in my paintings, as well as the brilliant light of Cornwall.”
– Denzil Forrester
The 10-year award scheme was launched in 2018 with previous awards given to Hurvin Anderson (2018), Tacita Dean (2019), Yinka Shonibare CBE RA (2020), Lubaina Himid (2021), Rachel Whiteread (2022) and Michael Armitage (2023).
The Award is presented by the Government Art Collection and sponsored by leading philanthropists Sybil Robson Orr and Matthew Orr. 15 editions of the print are displayed in government buildings around the world, while 11 are sold and funds are used to support under-represented artists by purchasing their art. The print was made and editioned by Simon Marsh of Jollytown editions. With thanks to Paupers Press.
If you are interested in purchasing a print, please contact Stephen Friedman Gallery at sales@stephenfriedman.com.
