For over three decades, the CSM Museum & Study Collection has purchased works from graduating students with the intention of improving representation in its storytelling and reflecting the diverse communities at CSM. In 2020, the process was formalised into the Graduate Award, aiming to speak to the issues that are important to our students and their lived experiences, such as race, gender, sexuality, identity, and mental health.
"As someone who is taking objects into classrooms and studios on a regular basis, I see the positive impact of that representation. It is so important for us to be sharing work by South Asian ceramicists, African diaspora fashion designers or Korean graphic designers because it is obvious when students recognise something of themselves in the collections and feel that their culture is valued and seen."
Judy Willcocks, Head of CSM Museum
From 2022, the Graduate Award has recruited a paid selection panel to work alongside Judy and Deans of Academic Programmes, Rachel Dickson, Paul Haywood and Rebecca Wright, in recommending and selecting recipients of the award. This decision endeavoured to challenge the structural inequality of historic collecting within CSM and the wider museum sector, while showcasing the incredible achievement of this year’s award winners. Collectively, they created work that celebrates culture, heritage and identity, challenges entrenched narratives, engages in social and political commentary, and explores materials in extraordinary ways.
For Willcocks, acquiring an object like Sean Dendere's ‘Mwana’ Libation Vessel will "prompt conversations about cultural significance, ritual and spirituality and offer an opening of talking about the African/Caribbean diaspora."
The awards were presented during a live online ceremony earlier in September, comprising of the Deans, Head of Museum, Selection Panel, and Award Recipients.
"We know that many award winners feel huge pride in being chosen and talk of the confidence boost that comes with having work in a permanent collection. However, I hope that for most students, the real value is in knowing their work is inspiring a new generation of makers," Judy Willcocks.
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'More Love, Less War’, Wakrot Chinshaka
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'More Love, Less War’, Wakrot Chinshaka
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'More Love, Less War’, Wakrot Chinshaka
The selection panel was formed through an open call to previous award recipients and current students from the MA Culture, Criticism, and Curation cohort. The five panel members were responsible for attending an induction meeting, viewing the physical degree shows, and collaborating with the Deans and Museum to finalise work to put forward for the prize.
Siyan Zhang, who was on the 2022 selection panel, drew on her past experience to mentor this year's cohort.
"Art isn't just about using fancy techniques, it's also sparking emotions, so I encouraged them to look at the story behind each work and follow their heart,"
According to Zhang, a significant challenge that comes with the role is to prioritise your time and keep track of the different degree show dates.
"It's been a big learning curve, but my aim was to ensure all the panel members had the resources and support needed for a transparent selection process and to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to thrive."
When reflecting on the impact of being one of this year's panel members, Ailin Schulz Jones says it has influenced her perception of how an artist's viewpoint or interest can affect somebody else and made her conscious of her responsibilities. For Jones, the most enjoyable part of the process was viewing, reflecting, and researching all the works recommended from the degree shows.
"There has been some amazing work, so it has been both a challenge and a pleasure to choose from them," she says. One of the works that Jones put forward for the award is by Foundation Diploma in Art and Design student, Ruthann Mburu, and titled ‘The Stories My Hair Tells’. In Mburu's own words, "it celebrates the versatility of afro-textured hair and explores the beauties of coils, colours and intricate patterns that make up different protective hairstyles."
This piece of work particularly resonated with Jones' concept of CARE, which encompasses caring for the environment, the unspoken or unseen, and for ourselves.
"Mburu's work is deeply rooted in the notion of our identity, how we take care of ourselves, and how this is constructed by our socio-cultural surroundings."
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'Frankenflowers', Millicent Sutton
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'Frankenflowers', Millicent Sutton
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'Frankenflowers', Millicent Sutton
For many of the student recipients of the Graduate Award 2023, this prestigious accolade has validated the time and effort they invested for their final year of university. According to MA Biodesign graduate, Millicent Sutton, this award is one of the biggest achievements of her creative journey so far.
"My project ‘Frankenflowers’ is the outcome of extensive research into plant evolution, climate change and our human impact on flowers and their morphology. The outcomes, however, are playful, and speculative," she tells me. With regards to the CSM Museum's teaching curriculum, Sutton hopes that the acquisition of her sculptures "will make the theory more accessible and conspicuous to engage with."
As for BA Product and Industrial Design graduate, Sean Dendere, he would like his project, ‘Mwana’, to "bring forth conversations about who [we] Africans and Indigenous people were in a pre-colonial context and inspire where [we] can propel to, whilst being anchored in our rich history." When it comes to life after university, Dendere aspires to run more workshops and talks, using the legacy of Central Saint Martins and prestige of this award, to advance his career.
Wakrot Chinshaka, who graduated from the MA Industrial Design course, shares similar sentiments to Sutton and Dendere.
"The acknowledgment from Central Saint Martins is not only a personal triumph, but also a testament to the collaborative efforts and support I received from my mentors and peers throughout the journey, as well as the team of creatives I brought together to work on my ‘More Love Less War’ project."
Not only does Chinshaka anticipate this award will help to set him apart in the competitive landscape of design, but he believes it will provide a solid foundation for building a successful career in his chosen field. Above all, Chinshaka says that the accolade will "serve as a constant reminder of the potential [I] hold and the responsibility [I] bear in contributing meaningfully to the creative landscape beyond the university walls."
The works by all fifteen Graduate Award 2023 winners are available to view digitally now on the special collection created for the UAL Graduate Showcase.
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'Frankenflowers', Millicent Sutton
