- The BRIT Awards 2019 with Mastercard today announce that acclaimed British-Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye OBE is the designer of the 2019 statue.
With an incredible career spanning nearly 25 years, Adjaye is widely regarded as a leading architect of his generation. The recipient of several prestigious international awards and accolades, he was knighted in 2017 for his services to Architecture and in the same year named one of the 100 most influential people of the year by TIME magazine.
The 2019 BRITs statue design reflects a gold standard in British creativity and innovation, and will embody Sir David’s unique artistic vision, which has been demonstrated through prominent global projects such as the Smithsonian National Museum of African and American History and Culture in Washington DC; the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo as well as notable London projects such as the Stephen Lawrence Centre and the Ideas Stores.
Sir David’s ethos of working within the broader creative sphere beyond just architecture has led to a number of exciting collaborations with both artists, musicians, filmmakers and fashion designers creating both lively cultural and creative discourse in and around his practice Adjaye Associates. This creative dialogue with artists continues with recent public buildings, pavilions, exhibitions and furniture design.
Current projects include the new Holocaust Memorial and Learning centre in London, the Ghana National Cathedral in Accra and his first skyscraper 130 William in New York City.
For the 2019 BRITs statue design, Adjaye has partnered with the progressive Czech glassmaking and design company LASVIT, renowned for their cutting-edge design and custom-made installations, to produce a truly unique statue for all twelve BRIT winners on the night.
Sir David’s appointment as the 2019 statue designer succeeds Sir Anish Kapoor and the late Dame Zaha Hadid, who designed the 2018 and 2017 statues respectively, completing a trilogy of world-renowned British creatives orchestrated by BRITs Chairman and Chairman and CEO of Sony Music UK and Ireland Jason Iley.
Jason Iley commented: "Sir David Adjaye has been responsible for some of the most striking and innovative architectural designs in the world. This creative and artistic vision is executed perfectly with the new BRIT award bringing yet another level of excellence and quality to the statue design".
Sir David Adjaye OBE said: “I am so delighted and honoured to be appointed. The BRITs are an iconic, eponymous celebration of British creativity and a true testimony to the wealth of talent working and supporting, making and producing and creating music both in this country and globally - it is an absolute pleasure to be given the opportunity to participate in honouring fellow creatives in this way.”
The BRIT Awards 2019 with Mastercard will be broadcast live on ITV - Wednesday 20th February from London’s O2 Arena.
“I am so delighted and honoured to be appointed. The BRITs are an iconic, eponymous celebration of British creativity and a true testimony to the wealth of talent working and supporting, making and producing and creating music both in this country and globally - it is an absolute pleasure to be given the opportunity to participate in honouring fellow creatives in this way.” - Sir David Adjaye OBE
