Labour Minister Lisa Nandy has expressed her unwavering commitment to ensuring that every child in the UK has access to the arts. Speaking at an event in Westminster, Nandy revealed the recipient of the prestigious Robson Orr TenTen Award 2024 to be Grenada-born British artist Denzil Forrester for his remarkable piece, Altar, capturing a scene from a reggae festival in Cornwall.
The Robson Orr TenTen Award, a 10-year initiative launched in 2018 and backed by the Government Art Collection, is supported by prominent philanthropists Sybil Robson Orr and Matthew Orr. Nandy commended Forrester for exemplifying the significance of bringing exceptional art to communities, stating, “We’re going to lead by example, with the Government Art Collection to make sure that people in every part of the country can see what it is.”
Highlighting the disparity in access to arts, Nandy acknowledged the need for change, crediting advocates like Sybil Orr for championing emerging artists and reintroducing art into schools. She lamented the diminishing presence of culture and creativity in classrooms over the past decade and pledged to confront and reverse this trend, asserting her resolute determination to broaden accessibility to the arts for all children.
Forrester’s artistic inspiration stems from the reggae and dub nightclubs of the 70s and 80s, reflecting in his depiction of Cornwall’s nightlife in his award-winning piece for the Government Art Collection. By capturing the interplay of light, sound, and space from an aerial perspective, Forrester’s artwork encapsulates the vibrant essence of Cornwall’s nocturnal scene.
Nandy concluded by envisioning a future where every child in the country has the opportunity to enrich their lives through the arts, echoing the hope that these budding talents will one day share their gifts with the world. The event marked a significant step towards realising Nandy’s vision of ensuring that artistic expression and creativity are accessible and inherent aspects of every child’s upbringing in the UK.