Louise Giovanelli Wins 2026 Robson Orr TenTen Award, Unveils Print Media Luna
Louise Giovanelli, a painter from Manchester, has been awarded the 2026 Robson Orr TenTen Award for her print titled Media Luna, which was presented by arts minister Baroness Ruth Mackenzie. As the ninth recipient of this accolade, Giovanelli's artwork delves into the relationship between humanity and the cosmos. The print features a rephotographed blonde wig enhanced with effects, originating from a series centered on wigs. Since 2011, Giovanelli has resided in Manchester and earned a BA from Manchester School of Art in 2015, followed by an MA in Germany in 2020. Launched in 2018, the TenTen initiative promotes British artists' prints in government spaces and supports the acquisition of works by underrepresented artists, along with providing educational materials for Key Stage 3 students.
Key facts
- Louise Giovanelli wins the 2026 Robson Orr TenTen Award.
- Her print Media Luna was unveiled by arts minister Baroness Ruth Mackenzie.
- Giovanelli is the ninth artist to receive the commission.
- The award is presented by the Government Art Collection and sponsored by Sybil Robson Orr and Matthew Orr.
- Media Luna is Spanish for 'crescent moon' or 'half moon'.
- The print stems from a series using wigs as subject matter, rephotographed with added glints and specks.
- Giovanelli was born in London, raised in Wales, and settled in Manchester in 2011.
- She earned a BA from Manchester School of Art in 2015 and an MA in Germany in 2020.
- The TenTen scheme displays 15 editions in government buildings and embassies, sells 11 to fund acquisitions.
- Over seven years, the scheme has led to more than 40 acquisitions by over 30 artists.
- Earlier TenTen artists include Hurvin Anderson (2018), Tacita Dean, Yinka Shonibare, Lubaina Himid, Rachel Whiteread, Michael Armitage, Denzil Forrester, and Anya Gallaccio.
- The scheme began in 2018 and this is the penultimate commission.
- A learning resource for Key Stage 3 students will be published on the Government Art Collection website.
- The resource is part of Picture This: The Robson Orr Visual Literacy Research Initiative, a three-year partnership with the University of Oxford and Art UK.
Entities
Artists
- Louise Giovanelli
- Sonia Boyce
- Jesse Darling
- Djofray Makumbu
- Ingrid Pollard
- Bindi Vora
- Barbara Walker
- Hurvin Anderson
- Tacita Dean
- Yinka Shonibare
- Lubaina Himid
- Rachel Whiteread
- Michael Armitage
- Denzil Forrester
- Anya Gallaccio
Institutions
- Government Art Collection
- Robson Orr Foundation
- Manchester School of Art
- Apollo Painting School
- University of Oxford
- Art UK
- Artlyst
Locations
- Manchester
- United Kingdom
- London
- Wales
- Germany
- United States
Sources
- Artlyst —