Here Is How Rolex Is Nurturing The Artists Of The Future

Apprenticeship models in which masters impart knowledge directly to those under them have long been critical in nurturing skills across various fields. For more than 20 years, Rolex has reimagined the essence of this tradition with its Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative, which aims to assist in transferring artistic knowledge and craft from one generation to the next.

Established in 2002, the mentoring programme is based on the belief that the arts is a continuum – an accumulation of past experiences over generations – and that all its practitioners are inspired by those who had gone before them. It also exemplifies Rolex’s pursuit of excellence. The word “perpetual” underpins every aspect of the brand’s activities – from watchmaking to partnerships – and this commitment to always reach the pinnacle of performance and achievement drives Rolex to support individuals and organisations in arts and culture, sport and exploration, as well as those devising solutions to preserve the planet.

In the same spirit, the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative offers a platform for emerging talents to hone their abilities and make meaningful artistic contributions. How? These young artists – or protégés, as Rolex calls them – are given the rare opportunity to spend significant periods with world‐renowned masters in their particular field – the mentors – one‐to‐one and collaborate.

Under the programme, mentors and protégés are to interact for a minimum of six weeks across a period of two years. While participants are encouraged to foster bonds through sustained engagement – and indeed, the relationships built often go beyond the official mentoring period – each pair is entirely free to determine where, how and when they will interact. It is also common for protégés to undertake specific projects of their choice with the advice and support of their mentors. In its goal to give emerging artists time to learn, create and grow, the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative exemplifies the company’s long‐standing dedication to encouraging individual achievement.

Since its beginnings, 1,350 young professional artists from 120 countries have been nominated to participate, thereby coming to the attention of experts in their fields. A total of 300 influential figures in the arts have nominated young artists and selected protégé finalists, and 145 major artists and creative leaders have served as advisors to the programme.

So far, the mentoring programme has paired 63 of the world’s greatest artists with 63 highly talented younger professionals from 41 countries. Among these illustrious mentors: the Pritzker Architecture Prize‐winning architect Sir David Chipperfield, actor and songwriter Lin‐Manuel Miranda of Hamilton fame, and the seminal filmmakers Martin Scorsese and Spike Lee. These luminaries contribute to the programme’s reputation as a forge of artistic excellence by sharing their vast expertise and insights with their protégés.

Suffice to say that the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative has birthed an extraordinary global community of artists across generations, cultures and disciplines – something Rolex considers one of the greatest achievements of the programme. The evolving legacy of the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative demonstrates the company’s ongoing dedication to the transmission of knowledge that not only stands the test of time, but will also surely spark innovative creativity as artistic minds come together to teach, learn, inspire and be inspired.

MEET THE CURRENT PAIRS

In the wake of its 20th anniversary, the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative has once again brought together five of the most acclaimed artists and five emerging artists from across the globe for life‐changing collaborations that take place over the course of two years. Happening in the realms of architecture, film, literature, music and the visual arts, the creative exchanges in the 2023‐2024 cycle of the mentoring programme realise Rolex’s commitment to advancing the artistry of the next generation through the tradition of individual exchange and inspiration. Here, a look at the latest cohort of artists who have joined Rolex’s expanding global creative community – a testament to the Swiss watch manufacture’s dedication to perpetuating artistic heritage and creating a link between the past, present and future.

EL ANATSUI AND BRONWYN KATZ

Ghanaian artist El Anatsui (above, left) has chosen South African artist Bronwyn Katz (above, right) as his protégé, uniting two powerful artistic forces. Celebrated for his innovative sculptures that integrate unexpected materials such as stone and aluminium bottle tops, Anatsui has played a major role in boosting Africa’s presence on the global art scene and has won accolades such as the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement. Katz, meanwhile, is known for her compelling works crafted using natural and salvaged materials, and has exhibited at prestigious venues and festivals such as London’s White Cube gallery and the Venice Biennale. She is also a founding member of the iQhiya collective, a network of young Black female artists based in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

BERNARDINE EVARISTO AND AYESHA HARRUNA ATTAH

British author and academic Bernardine Evaristo (above, left) holds the prestigious position of president of the Royal Society of Literature and in 2019 became the first Black Briton to clinch the Booker Prize. Her protégé of choice? Ayesha Harruna Attah (above, right) – a rising star in African literature. The pairing is perfect. Through her repertoire that includes the Booker Prize‐winning Girl, Woman, Other, Evaristo explores the African diaspora across various genres. Likewise, Attah – known for her compelling historical fiction such as The Hundred Wells of Salaga – captures the essence of African culture, earning international recognition with her nuanced storytelling as she challenges and redefines perceptions of African traditions.

JIA ZHANG-KE AND RAFAEL MANUEL

In a dynamic collaboration within the film industry, renowned Chinese director Jia Zhang‐Ke (below) mentors Filipino filmmaker Rafael Manuel (bottom). Manuel, who also navigates the realms of philosophy and visual communications, has already made a mark, with accolades such as the Silver Bear Jury Prize at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival for his short film, Filipiñana. As he ventures into feature film‐making, his engagement with Jia – the visionary behind the Pingyao International Film Festival and award‐winning movies such as Still Life – sets the stage for a compelling cross‐cultural exchange in cinema.

ANNE LACATON AND ARINE APRAHAMIAN

Known for her sustainable and innovative designs, the 2021 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate Anne Lacaton (right) has chosen to mentor the young pioneering Lebanese‐Armenian architect Arine Aprahamian (far right). Lacaton’s impactful work in Europe and her academic contributions at ETH Zurich complement Aprahamian’s forward‐thinking approach at MÜLLER APRAHAMIAN, the studio she co‐founded in 2018. One of its most recent ventures is Terraforma, an in‐house R&D project that explores the ancient building material of clay and the innovation of domestic alternatives for architectural materials.

DIANNE REEVES AND SONG YI JEON

In a harmonious convergence of jazz talent, five‐time Grammy Award‐winning jazz icon Dianne Reeves (far left) has chosen to mentor South Korean jazz singer and composer Song Yi Jeon (left). While Reeves has dazzled the world with albums such as Beautiful Life and has been honoured as a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts, Song brings her own unique flair, characterised by her ethereal voice and innovative improvisations that were honed at prestigious institutions such as the Berklee College of Music. This mentorship bridges their distinct musical journeys, uniting Reeves’s seasoned artistry with Song’s fresh, avant‐garde approach to jazz.

This article first appeared in the April 2024 Art Book of FEMALE