Artist Denzil Forrester wins Government award for print celebrating UK nightlife

Artist Denzil Forrester is this year’s recipient of the Robson Orr TenTen Award for a print celebrating UK nightlife.

The artwork, a four-plate polymer etching called Altar, depicts a scene from a reggae festival in Cornwall, where the artist now lives and works.

It was unveiled on Tuesday morning at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and presented by the Government Art Collection, which displays works of art in UK government buildings around the world.

Inspired by the '70s and '80s reggae and dub nightclubs of his youth, (Denzil Forrester's) print depicts the UK’s unrivalled music scene in a vibrant, upbeat and unique style

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy

Every year a British artist is commissioned to create a limited edition print and 15 of them are put on display in diplomatic buildings, while the sale of 11 editions help raise funds for the collection to support emerging artists in Britain.

This year’s winning artist, Mr Forrester, who was born in Grenada and moved to the UK as a child, is best known for his works immortalising the London reggae and dub nightclub scene during the early 1980s.

Ms Nandy said: “I’d like to congratulate Denzil Forrester, this year’s winning artist for The Robson Orr Ten Ten Award.

“Inspired by the ’70s and ’80s reggae and dub nightclubs of his youth, his print depicts the UK’s unrivalled music scene in a vibrant, upbeat and unique style.

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

Artist Denzil Forrester

“I look forward to seeing how the sale of his works will help raise funds to support emerging or under-represented UK artists and drive opportunity in all regions.”

Mr Forrester said: “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.”

Eliza Gluckman, director of the Government Art Collection, said: “It has been such a pleasure to work on this commission with Denzil in our seventh year of the Robson Orr TenTen Award.

For the collection, the print celebrates the diversity of the UK music scene, and brings a joyous new work to the walls of government buildings across the world

Eliza Gluckman, Government Art Collection

“Collaborating with printmaker Simon Marsh, he’s created a four-plate etching that creates a palpable beat to the thronging dance floor.

“For the collection, the print celebrates the diversity of the UK music scene, and brings a joyous new work to the walls of government buildings across the world.”

The award is a 10-year scheme, started in 2018 with the support of philanthropists Sybil Robson Orr and Matthew Orr.

Mr and Mrs Orr said: “Denzil’s work is an incredible addition to our 10-year project and to the Government Art Collection.

“We cannot wait to encounter his print in British government buildings and embassies around the world and see it playing its role promoting British art and culture globally.”