At a landmark event celebrating both artistic design and its future potential, John C Jay delivered a stirring address that set the tone for an evening rooted in reflection, recognition, and renewal. Drawing on 25 years of inspiration from Tate Modern and two decades of creative collaboration through the UT Grand Prix (UTGP), the night was a call to imagine a future shaped by art. From the outset, the message was unmistakable: we are living through a period of deep transformation. But instead of dwelling on the past, the focus was placed squarely on momentum, on forging ahead with purpose. The role of vision and participation in this evolving landscape was emphasized as essential to building a better future.
That future, as outlined in Jay’s vision, must be rooted in collective creativity, shared responsibility, and a democratised approach to art. Through 20 years of UTGP, Uniqlo has helped make art accessible to all, turning the everyday T-shirt into a platform for global artistic expression. Artists from around the world have been given space to be seen, heard, and celebrated. But the ambition doesn’t stop there. The night’s recurring message, this is only the beginning, was a rallying cry, not a closing statement. With Uniqlo and Tate Modern aligned in vision, the potential to inspire a new generation of artists and cultural contributors feels tangible.
To create the future means more than innovating. It means setting bold creative goals, cultivating new aspirations, and ensuring that artists remain central to how we shape the world ahead. Through initiatives like UNIQLO Tate Play, people of all ages are invited to explore art with curiosity, imagination, and joy. This spirit extends into the UTGP T-shirt design competition, which celebrates 25 years of Tate Modern. Participants are encouraged to create with freedom, whether through drawing, painting, technology, text, or photography, and submit their ideas on the universal canvas of a T-shirt. All entries must be original, previously unpublished, and free of external influences.
From front-to-back designs to expressive illustrations, this competition is a global invitation to design a future inspired by play, purpose, and possibility. Submissions must follow strict guidelines to preserve artistic integrity, ensuring each piece reflects the unique voice of its creator. This year’s winners embody that spirit. AHN DO EUN’s “The Pizza I Want To Eat” channels raw emotion into a playful image. Narimichi Takahashi’s “ETERNAL BLOOM” draws on his child’s artwork and the colours of Van Gogh. Melvin Galapon’s “Future Now” captures the energy of what lies ahead with inspiration from the old CRT TV sets. Together, these works highlight the power of creativity as both personal expression and cultural commentary.
As the evening closed with recognition for UTGP and the Tate Awards, the deeper message lingered: this is not just celebration, it’s commitment. A commitment to creativity as a force for change, for connection, and for shaping a world where art is not only valued, but vital. And if this night truly marks just the beginning, the path forward promises to be bright, with art lighting the way.
