YG15 Showcase: Hattie Stewart

By Brett McKenzie on Nov 15, 2017

Shining the spotlight on this year's Young Guns winners


Young Guns 15, arguably the most prestigious portfolio-based competition for creatives under 30, is going out with a bang! This year's winners were unveiled earlier this month, and it's safe to say that this is one of the most eclectically talented classes in Young Guns history. 

This Thursday is the traditional Young Guns ceremony and party, (you've scored your tickets, right?) and nearly all of this year's winners will be travelling from across the globe, across the country, or across the Williamsburg Bridge to attend. Ahead of the festivities, the One Club for Creativity is highlighting many of the winners you'll be able to meet.


 

HATTIE STEWART
Illustrator
Based In: London, UK
Originally from: Colchester, UK
hattiestewart.com

SEE HATTIE'S YG15 PROFILE + WORK


What does winning this award mean to you?

I’m not usually one for awards, but have always admired Young Guns, and many of my peers have won before. I received a nomination from Gemma O’Brien (YG13), an artist I love, and thought as it was the last year of eligibility, why not!? It’s truly an honour and really lovely for my work to be recognised.

"I’m not usually one for awards, but have always admired Young Guns, and many of my peers have won before... It’s truly an honour and really lovely for my work to be recognised."

What sorts of challenges have you encountered to get where you are today?

Many:  crippling self doubt, misogyny, anxiety, pressure —  things that many artists, young and old, are confronted with daily. I’ve put in a lot of hard work, made some bad choices, some good. Recently I’ve tried to stop comparing myself to others so much and start to enjoy my little corner of the world and thus appreciate others more. I’ve made a lot of mistakes and some really great breakthroughs. I still get angry and overwhelmed at times, but at least I cry a lot less these days!l. I’m always looking for something new, but not always embracing the now, a product of my age maybe, but a blessing and a curse in equal measure. I just try to draw and paint and breathe - and drink a little less.

How did you decide what to enter?

It was nice to reflect on past work — a reminder of what I’ve achieved. I think it was because it was my last chance to enter, this could be a nice way to tie up the work of my twenties! I’m happy to have won, I struggled a lot when I was younger so it feels good.

Can you name any past Young Guns winners who you look up to?

Becky & Joe (YG14), Kate Moross (YG10)  and Gemma O’Brien (G13) are all amazing.

What keeps you going, creatively speaking?

I truly have no idea other than this desperate need to create. Drawing for me personally saved my life and has enabled me to explore myself mind in ways I wouldn’t ordinarily know how to express. I just hope I can inspire other young artists to create, just like an older generation of artists inspired me.

Now that you’re a Young Guns winner, what’s next?

Just gonna keep on drawing in my little corner of the world and see where i get to next!


Hattie and her fellow winners will be honored at the Young Guns 15 Ceremony + Party, taking place on Thursday, November 16 at Highline Stages in Manhattan's Meatpacking District. 

Young Guns 15 is presented in proud partnership with Shutterstock, Levene/Leavitt and MTV.

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