American contemporary artists Cindy Sherman and Faith Ringgold, Burberry Chief Creative Officer Christopher Bailey and architect Eva Jiřičná are all receiving Honorary Doctorates at the Royal College of Art graduation ceremony at 11am on Friday 28 June 2013. The ceremony coincides with the RCA’s graduate show which is open to the public until 30 June.
Royal College of Art Honorands are awarded for their significant contribution to culture and industry both internationally and in the UK. Personalities from the spheres of fine art, design, fashion, textiles and the applied arts and humanities are amongst those honoured by the College in recognition of their achievements.
The highly distinguished figures will join over 500 students who are receiving postgraduate degrees from RCA Provost Sir James Dyson at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
An alumnus of the Royal College of Art, Yorkshire-born Christopher Bailey MBE graduated with a Masters in Womenswear in 1994. Chief Creative Officer of Burberry he is responsible for the company’s overall image including all advertising, corporate art direction, store design and visuals as well as the design of all Burberry collections and product lines. Christopher received an honorary fellowship from the College in 2004 and in 2011 was the RCA’s Innovation Night guest speaker.
One of the art world’s most highly regarded photographers, Cindy Sherman is best known for her groundbreaking portraits which challenge the role and representation of women and the nature of the creation of art. When setting up her photographs, Cindy famously shoots alone in her studio, assuming multiple roles as author, director, make-up artist, hairstylist, wardrobe mistress—and, of course, model. Sherman lives and works in New York. In 1995, she was the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship.
Known for her signature glass and steel staircases, the renowned Czech architect and interior designer Eva Jiřičná CBE RA attended the University of Prague and the Prague Academy of Fine Arts. Having set up Eva Jiřičná Architects in 1982, her career since then has seen her work with clients including The Royal Academy of Arts and Selfridges. Earlier this year Eva was awarded the 2013 Jane Drew Prize for her outstanding contribution to the status of women in architecture.
American-born Faith Ringgold has had an illustrious career as painter, writer, speaker, mixed media sculptor and performance artist. Professor emeritus at the University of California, San Diego where she taught art from 1987 until 2002, Faith’s work has been exhibited in museums and galleries world-wide and is included in many eminent private and public art collections. Written and illustrated by Faith, her children’s book If a Bus Could Talk; The Story of Ms. Rosa Parks won the NAACP’s Image Award in 2000.
Senna filmmaker Asif Kapadia and product designer Robin Levien are both appointed Senior Fellows.