WINNERS OF THE 2021 MULLENLOWE NOVA AWARDS

MullenLowe Group has just announced the winner for this year’s MullenLowe NOVA Awards. People had voted their fav piece of work and been waiting to hear who has been chosen to receive the award. So, we are here to tell you that the award goes to… Nikoleta Crysikou, for her creative work ‘BacTerra’ that promises possibilities of creating alternative materials that are more environmentally friendly. Crysikou aims to create alternative ceramics that are self-fired and biologically glazed with the use of bacteria.

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From 1,300 graduating students, Nikoleta was one out of 14 shortlists to receive the MullenLowe NOVA Award, chosen for her work that represents a new narrative with impeccable execution. She says, ‘I feel really happy and grateful to be named the winner of the MullenLowe NOVA Awards, not only for the recognition and endorsement within the art world and wider industry, but because I will be able to communicate my project to a bigger audience. The prize money will enable me to scale up my project from a home-based workshop to a bigger workshop, and it will give me the opportunity to research the project more, to develop and optimise the material and method. Hopefully, it will start a conversation with other makers and industries about how we can collectively reimagine the future of ceramics and traditional crafts.’

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This year’s runners up are Alice Turner for her amazing product ‘Carnerie’ and Lydia Hardcastle for her impeccable work ‘FEN (Growing Garments)’. Their work are our favourites too! We also want to congratulate the winner for the 2021 Unilever #Unstreotype Award, Cheuk Laam Wong for the innovative product ‘Looop Can’ to provide a washing kit for reusable sanitary pads for female refugees. Briliant work, Cheuk. 

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We are not done yet. There are two more talented creatives that we like to congratulate. The 2021 Creative Boom Conscious Award goes to Francesca Dalosio for her work ‘Ulïètu’. And last but certainly not least, Jaan Choy’s astonishing piece ‘Liǎn’ is chosen for YourNOVA ‘People’s Choice’ Award. 

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The Global President of MullenLowe Group Global Creative Council and MullenLowe NOVA Awards jury president, Jose Miguel Sokoloff states about this year’s winners that ‘Not only did the winning projects challenge the judges to view creativity through a different lens, but the work was bulletproof. It was relevant, tested and in most cases, can be put into production tomorrow with infinite practical uses. I’m continually amazed at how connected the students are to the world around us and how they’re engaging and reacting with purpose, and this year was no exception. A lot of the work this year delved into the issue ups humanity is facing – from waste and recyclability to period poverty and mental health – and the students asked some very interesting questions and offered clear, tangible, and innovative solutions to problems that touch every one of us. The past two years have been difficult in terms of how the work has been produced, showcased, and shared, but what I can say with certainty is the winning work is the best of the graduate projects that exist out there in the world right now, and that’s quite something. It’s been a privilege to recognise these brilliant minds for the 10th year. Congratulations to all of the winners and shortlisted students – your work inspires this whole programme, so thank you for being so extraordinarily creative. I’m sure we will see continued success from each and every one of you.’

This year also marks 10 years of partnership between Central Saint Martins and MullenLowe Group. In celebration of a decade of award-winning creative practice, MullenLowe Group and Central Saint Martins are presenting ‘NOVA X’ as part of London Design Festival this September. Online and at Central Saint Martins, the exhibition will share how past winners of the MullenLowe NOVA Awards have propelled their careers beyond the educational environment.

Head of Central Saint Martins and Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Arts London, Professor Jeremy Till says, ‘It’s an honour and a privilege to celebrate 10 years of partnership between Central Saint Martins and MullenLowe Group. If we trace the winners from the last 10 years, you will be able to see how important the MullenLowe NOVA Awards are in boosting their careers, and I have no doubt this year’s winners will thrive post-graduation as they find new ways of displaying, making, and disseminating their work. It’s wonderful to see how the MullenLowe NOVA Awards bring together work from multiple disciplines across Central Saint Martins’ courses, and give graduating students a platform for recognition as they bring to the surface work that might not have been celebrated in the way it deserves without the programme.’

We are happy and beyond excited for the MullenLowe NOVA Award frontrunners. Again, congratulations to all of you!

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You can catch up on the live broadcast here, to hear from the judges and each of the winning students: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu7j6o3sKX8