The 12 recipients of this year's University of the Arts London honorary awards are world-leading creatives, who have worked with major cultural institutions around the world in the fields of broadcasting, theatre and performance, fashion, film and TV, design, education, activism and human rights.
They will be recognised for their outstanding contributions to the creative industries at UAL Graduation Ceremonies at the Royal Festival Hall from 11 - 13 July 2023.
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The full list of Honoraries for 2023
Portrait of Beatrix Ong | Photograph: Beatrix Ong Beatrix Ong
Beatrix Ong studied fashion in Central Saint Martins, later becoming a critically acclaimed designer and acquiring an MBE on Her Majesty The Queen’s 2011 New Year’s Honours List in recognition of her services to British Fashion.
Portrait of Cyndi Rhoades | Photograph: Jack Eames Cyndi Rhoades
Cyndi Rhoades founded Worn Again to develop a scalable solution for turning textiles waste into circular resources. She evolved the business from upcycling disused materials into new products to a technology company which has developed a pioneering polymer recycling process, with a vision to replace virgin resource use in textiles.
Portrait of Florence Adepoju | Photograph: Danny Wonders Florence Adepoju
Florence Adepoju, entrepreneur and cosmetic scientist, and former London College of Fashion student founded her pioneering makeup company MDMflow after receiving a start-up loan from UAL Student Enterprise and Employability.
Portrait of Gavin Jantjes in his studio | Photograph: Angela-Musil Gavin Jantjes
UAL graduate Gavin Jantjes is a renowned artist, activist, educator, curator, historian and artistic director. whose work has become essential material in discussions around apartheid, cultural reciprocity and freedom of expression.
Portrait of Dr Gus Casely-Hayford, OBE | Photograph: V&A East © Suki Dhanda Gus Casely-Hayford
Dr Gus Casely-Hayford, OBE, inaugural Director of V&A East, Professor by Practice at SOAS and Central Saint Martins graduate, has worked with major institutions to broadcast, write and lecture widely on culture.
Portrait of Taita Hernando Chindoy with Wuasikamas coffee | Photograph: Alejandro Osses Hernando Chindoy Chindoy
Hernando Chindoy Chindoy - Taita Chindoy - is seen by many in his native country of Colombia as well as worldwide as a guardian of biodiversity, ecosystems and human rights.
Portrait of Inua Ellams | Photograph: Andy Lo Pὀ Inua Ellams
Inua Ellams is an internationally touring poet, playwright, performer, graphic artist and designer. He lives and works in London, where he facilitates workshops in creative writing and recently completed his first pull poetry collection.
Portrait of James Waterhouse | Photograph: Lee Durant James Waterhouse
Renown for his accessible style and history reporting current and foreign affairs, London College of Communication graduate James Waterhouse is BBC’s Ukraine Correspondent and has been central to the outlet’s award-winning coverage of the conflict.
Portrait of Lesley-Ann Noel | Photograph: Laura Ferreira Lesley-Ann Noel
Dr Lesley-Ann Noel’s research interests are centred around those who would traditional be excluded from community-led research, design-based learning and design thinking. She practices primarily in the area of social innovation, education and public health.
Portrait of Peter Hoar | Photograph: Gavin Struthers Peter Hoar
Peter Hoar is a Film and Television Director who has worked on hit shows including It’s a Sin, The Umbrella Academy, Doctor Who, and launched detective drama Shetland for ITV Studios/BBC.
Saki Mafundikwa | Photograph: Carol Dutra Saki Mafundikwa
Saki Mafundikwa is a graphic designer, filmmaker, design teacher, TED speaker and author of the first book on Afrikan typography. He also founded and directed the Zimbabwe Institute of Vigital Arts.
Portrait of Shantell Martin | Photograph: Cole Haan Shantell Martin
Shantell Martin is an artist and academic, working across a wide range of disciplines. Her work centres around making connections between fine art, education, design, philosophy, and technology, exploring themes such as intersectionality, identity, and play.