Yinka Shonibare CBE receives Robson Orr TenTen Award 2020 Government Art Collection/Outset Annual Commission
Yinka Shonibare CBE has been awarded the Robson Orr TenTen Award 2020 by the Government Art Collection (GAC). The new work was unveiled at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office on Tuesday 6 October 2020 by Caroline Dinenage MP, Minister of State (Minister for Digital and Culture) and Penny Johnson CBE, Director of the GAC.
Discussing the work, Shonibare explains, "'Hibiscus and the Rose' is an expression of cultural exchange between Britain and the rest of the world. The hibiscus is a genus of numerous species of herbs, shrubs, and trees in the mallow family (Malvaceae) widely found in many of the warmer temperate Commonwealth countries. The rose is the national flower of England and has a long tradition within English symbolism. An exploration of Britain’s colonial past and its current relationship with its former colonies is symbolised through the ‘Hibiscus and the Rose."
The Robson Orr TenTen Award is presented jointly by the Government Art Collection with Outset Contemporary Art Fund and is sponsored by leading philanthropists Sybil Robson Orr and Matthew Orr. Every year a British artist is commissioned to create a unique, limited edition print to be shown in diplomatic buildings across the world. A small number are available for purchase through a collaboration with the pioneering philanthropic arts organisation Outset to raise funds for the GAC acquisition fund. The 10-year scheme was launched in 2018 with the first two awards given to Hurvin Anderson (2018) and Tacita Dean (2019).
