Jaguar Arts Awards showcase originality with inspiring shortlist

Jaguar has unveiled the much-anticipated shortlist for the Jaguar Arts Awards, which has been established in partnership with the prestigious Royal College of Art (RCA). The awards, designed to celebrate originality and bold artistry, invite submissions from emerging talents across Fine and Applied Art Masters’ programmes.

This year, art pieces were judged against the ethos of ‘Copy Nothing’, an essential philosophy woven into the very fabric of Jaguar under its founder, Sir William Lyons.

The jury, comprised of experts from various creative disciplines, has selected a compelling list of 20 artworks to advance to the final round of the competition. This selection process involved an extensive evaluation, ensuring that every submitted piece resonated with the spirit of originality that Jaguar embodies. Among those lending their expertise were Jaguar Land Rover’s Chief Creative Officer, Professor Gerry McGovern OBE, RCA alumni and various artists from different creative fields such as furniture design and multidisciplinary visual arts.

Professor McGovern expressed his enthusiasm for the competition, stating, “The Jaguar Arts Awards are about celebrating bold, fearless artistic vision—work that challenges convention and dares to stand apart. As part of the jury, I have been inspired by the breadth of talent in the submissions. The shortlisted works all embody the spirit of Jaguar: vibrant distinctive, and unapologetically original.”

The awards ceremony, which will take place in September, promises to be a significant event, with distinguished figures from the arts expected to gather in anticipation of the final announcements. Five winners will be chosen, each receiving a grant to support their next creative endeavour. The highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Gerry McGovern award, bestowed upon one artist for their exceptional contribution, representing the programme’s highest distinction.

This year’s shortlist showcases a diverse range of artistic mediums including sculpture, painting, photography, ceramics, and glasswork. Many of these enthralling pieces were previously exhibited at the RCA2025: School of Arts & Humanities Show held from 19-22 June, underlining the impressive calibre of graduating RCA students.

Last year, Jaguar introduced its new brand and design vision, Type 00, during Miami Art Week, continuing its legacy of innovation and creativity. This fresh perspective reflects Jaguar’s commitment to standing out in a crowded marketplace, reminding audiences that originality lies at the heart of their identity.

With a legacy that has captivated over a billion audiences worldwide, the brand’s dedication to ‘copy nothing’ resonates as strongly today as it did at its inception.