West Dean are delighted to announce the award of two Honorary Fellowships for 2024. These awards are made each year to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the fields that are central to West Dean’s charitable purpose. This year’s Fellows, Eva Rothschild and Darryl Moore, are active supporters of West Dean and it’s Schools, and distinguished in their fields of expertise.

Francine Norris BA (Hons), MA FRSA, Principal and Deputy Chief Executive ‘We are thrilled to be able to award fellowships to two individuals who have made significant professional contribution to the development of our subject areas. It has been wonderful to see how Eva Rothschild’s sculpture practice translates into her work with West Dean’s Tapestry Studio. While Darryl Moore’s creative approach to sustainable and ethical garden design has never been more relevant for inspiring both students and professional designers.’

Eva Rothschild is an Irish artist now living and working in London. Having studied BA Hons Fine Art at the University of Ulster, Belfast (1990–93), Rothchild gained an MA in Fine Art from Goldsmiths College, London (1997–99). In 2014 Rothschild was elected RA, Royal Academy of Arts, London and was subsequently made Professor of Sculpture at the Royal Academy schools in 2024.

Rothschild's work has been the subject of institutional solo exhibitions including representing Ireland at the 58th International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia, Venice, Italy, with 'The Shrinking Universe' (2019), 'Kosmos' at Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (2018), Dublin City Gallery, South London Gallery (2007), and Kunsthalle Zürich (2004). 

Eva Rothschild's works are held by major public collections including MoMA, New York, Arts Council of England, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin, Tate, and the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. Recent public commissions include ‘Double Rainbow’ 2022 for The Central Bank of Ireland, Dublin; My World and Your World’ 2020 for The King’s Cross Project, London, and works for the forthcoming Sadler’s Wells East Bank, Stratford, London due for completion 2024.

Rothschild, was artist-in-residence at West Dean during 2017-18 and has collaborated with West Dean Tutor and Master Weaver, Philip Sanderson. The result of the collaboration was her first tapestry, ‘The Fallowfield’, which was acquired by Tate in 2019 and was part of the Tate Britain Exhibition Walk Through British Art: 60 Years.

Eva Rothschild says 'I have enjoyed many years working with West Dean and am honoured to be awarded the fellowship. I look forward to deepening my relationship with the college in general and the Tapestry Studio in particular. It is a privilege to work with such an excellent team of weavers and craftspeople.'

Darryl Moore is a garden designer at the forefront of promoting new ways of approaching garden design and brings a strong ethical and sustainable approach to his work. He is Director and founder, along with Adolfo Harrison, of the innovative urban landscape organisation Cityscapes. Creating temporary and permanent parks, gardens and installations that ensure ecological, economic and social sustainability, working in collaboration with leading designers, artists and London's major cultural institutions.

Darryl regularly writes for publications including among others The Guardian, The Garden Design Journal and Homes & Gardens. He has also recently published a book “Gardening in a Changing World: Plants, People and the Climate Crisis” which explores developments in horticulture, ecology, plant science and advances in the environmental humanities to discuss how gardens can be better for human beings and for all the other lifeforms that inhabit them.

Darryl regularly works with West Dean’s KLC School of Design, offering lectures and workshops to the Diploma in Garden Design students.

Darryl Moore says ‘I am delighted and honoured to be awarded an honorary Fellowship from West Dean in recognition of my professional contributions and ethical and sustainable approaches to garden and landscape design. It means a lot to me that this recognition comes from such an esteemed educational institution, one that brings gardens and art together, and believes that creativity is at the heart of making our lives better. This couldn’t be more important in the midst of the climate and biodiversity crises, where thinking creatively and putting our ideas into practice are essential for addressing the challenges we face.’

From online courses to postgraduate degrees, West Dean has an international reputation for excellence and is a full partner of the University of Sussex. Students benefit from fully equipped workshops, expert tutors, and lecturers as well as access to visiting artists, makers, and writers as part of the year-long Artists-in-Residence programme. Find out more about study options at www.westdean.ac.uk.

Note to editors

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

West Dean

www.westdean.ac.uk

Instagram: @westdeancollege

Facebook: @westdeancollege

X: @westdeancollege

YouTube: WestDean

Contact:

Kathryn Follis

Marketing Manager, West Dean

Email: [email protected]