THE SIR DENIS MAHON FOUNDATION ▸ Award

THE SIR DENIS MAHON AWARD at the Royal Drawing School

The Mahon Award was created to honour the memory of Sir Denis Mahon and his lifelong passion for painting and drawing.
During his lifetime he was a great supporter of the Royal Drawing School (formerly The Prince’s Drawing School) and this annual award was created to give a recent graduate of The Drawing year the opportunity to continue to focus on drawing from observation and to develop their work.

A prize of £10,000 is awarded to an outgoing Drawing Year student each year to enable them to continue their practice as an artist, it runs from March to March and the award goes towards a studio space for the duration of the year as well as a solo exhibition.

The artists who have so far received the award are:

2023-24 Keziah Philipps
2022-23 Christina Kimeze
2021-22 Jack McGarrity
2020-21 Deanio X
2019-20 Irene Montemurro
2018-19 Joana Galego
2017-18 Holly Froy
2016-17 Naomi Trevor
2015-16 Rosie Vohra
2014-15 Jessie Makinson
2013-14 Jonathan Farr
2012-13 Tom Sander
2011-12 Alex Cree

KEZIAH PHILIPPS is the recipient of The Sir Denis Mahon Award 2023-2024.

She studied Animation at Kingston University, attaining first class honours and seizing upon a passion for printmaking, for which she received a special commendation for Expanded Animation Practice. She went on to study printmaking intensively at Grand Valley State University in Michigan for a year, and learned traditional craft skills, before her year at The Royal Drawing School.

Keziah’s work currently involves found objects and collected natural materials; she often carries prepared copper plates to draw from observation on location. The prize of £10,000 will support Keziah as she continues her artistic journey, culminating in a solo show next year.

Artworks by Keziah Philipps