Red, Blue, Up, Onwards and Up
JESSICA COURTNEY BENNETT
Congratulations to Michelle Roberts, who has been shortlisted for the Sky Arts Awards 2025. The winner will be announced live on screen on 16 September. Michelle was nominated for the award by Artist Bob & Roberta Smith, who first came across her work as part of the Outside In open call, where he selected Michelle as the winner. The prize was a solo exhibition, Michelle Roberts: Red Blue Up, which opened at De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill in February this year.
Michelle Roberts has maintained a creative practice throughout her life. For the past 20 years, she has worked in the studios of Project Art Works, an organisation that supports neurodivergent artists, their families, and extended networks. Over this time, Michelle has developed a distinct visual language that is instantly recognisable for its intense colour, interwoven forms, and densely packed detail. Michelle renders rich and personal interpretations of the significant events and places that have shaped her life. In contrast to dark times, Michelle’s works stand out as beacons of joy and celebration.
Launched last year as an evolution of the South Bank Sky Arts Awards, the Sky Arts Awards honours outstanding achievement across a wide spectrum of artistic disciplines. It remains the only event in the world that recognises the full breadth of cultural genres, with categories including classical music, comedy, dance, film, literature, poetry, opera, popular music, television, theatre, and visual arts.
Phil Edgar-Jones OBE, Executive Director, Unscripted Originals, commented:
“The Sky Arts Awards are more than just a celebration – they’re a reminder of why the arts matter. In a moment where creative industries continue to face funding and visibility challenges, the awards spotlight the vital role the arts play for all of us … Most of all, the people who make the stuff we love bring joy into our lives, and what could be more useful than that?”
The Awards will take place at the Round House, London, on Tuesday 16 September, and aired that evening on Sky Arts and Freeview. Michelle Roberts’ work formed part of the recent group exhibition at the Project Art Works Open Studio.
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