Announcing a new partnership and annual artist bursary with global company, 4C Hotel Group

UK New Artists (UKNA) is delighted to launch an exciting new partnership with global company 4C Hotel Group, which will create valuable opportunities for new artists in the UK over the next three years.

A key component of the partnership will be the annual 4C Hotel Group Bursary managed by UKNA - a twelve month programme of support and significant investment, for one new artist each year, over three years. The first recipient of the Bursary will be 21 year-old London-based painter, Wesley George.

Wesley George in front of his work at the Robert Walters Award 2021. Photo by Reece Straw.

Self-taught Wesley is building a strong reputation for his naturalistic portraits of young black individuals against vibrant block-coloured backgrounds. Wesley takes his friends as his primary subjects, presenting them in a candid and uplifting manner, seeking to shed light on the overlooked narratives of black subjects throughout history and society. In November 2021 Wesley was selected as one of the 10 finalists of the Robert Walters Group UK New Artist of the Year Award at the Saatchi Gallery, which is where his striking work caught the eye of 4C Hotel Group Managing Director, Al-Karim Nathoo.

4C Hotel Group manages and develops hotels in major business centres and leisure hot spots across the UK, Middle East, Canada and East Africa.

Additionally, Canopy by Hilton London City, owned and managed by 4C Hotel Group, will host a unique micro-residency in support of UKNA in January 2023. UKNA will recruit eight outstanding creatives across all genres, from visual arts to theatre, music to photography, dance to spoken word, to take part.

The Canopy by Hilton London City hotel is an eco-conscious 340-room hotel, owned and managed by 4C Hotel Group. The hotel’s interior design is inspired by East London’s historic textile industry, as well as by the local contemporary art scene, and features commissions by artists Tom Gidley, Janne Malmros and Steven Quinn.

The micro-residency will be facilitated by Rosalind Davis, curator, art consultant, teacher, writer and designer. Most recently Rosalind, and her artistic partner Justin Hibbs, collaborated with UKNA artist Jamal Sterrett Phoenix on a project for ITV Creates, ITV’s on-screen identity project.

Al-karim Nathoo, CEO, 4C Hotel Group said “We are delighted to be able to sponsor this project and work with UKNA, a charity that aligns with our ethos in supporting local and emerging young talent. Wesley George, the artist being showcased, has demonstrated a special and unique approach in his portrayal of his subjects and we look forward to seeing how his style and work develops going forward.”

Michelle Bowen, Director of UKNA, said: "At UKNA we develop emerging UK artists by providing unique opportunities for them to develop their creativity, ensuring that they can be the best that they can be. We are delighted to be working with 4C Hotel Group over the next three years to support this work.

“Corporate support for artists is so important, so it's fantastic to be launching the inaugural 4C Hotel Group Bursary and announcing its first recipient: Wesley George. We know that this partnership will have a significant impact on Wesley and others, helping exciting new artists to make an important step forward in their careers."