UT Grand Prix 2020 + MoMA Collection launches today

Global apparel retailer UNIQLO will start selling a collection of all nine winning designs from its Draw Your World-themed UT (UNIQLO T-shirt) Grand Prix 2020 design contest from Friday, February 26, 2021. The 2020 contest was held in collaboration with The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. UNIQLO has run the UT Grand Prix since 2005 to foster creativity and talent around the world. The contest highlights the UT ethos of celebrating T-shirts as blank canvases on which to make art accessible, and enjoyable for all.

Winning entries chosen by panel of distinguished judges

UNIQLO worked with MoMA for the UT GRAND PRIX 2020, inviting three internationally renowned artists whose work is featured in MoMA’s collection as contest judges: Lawrence Weiner, Paula Scher, and Sarah Morris. They selected nine winning works from numerous entries. The Grand Prix recipient impressed the judges by integrating elements of images from 1940s and1950s comic books from around the world.

UNIQLO is MoMA’s proud partner of #ArtForAll.

UNIQLO has been a major partner with MoMA in its mission to make art accessible to all by providing free access to the museum and broadening cultural impact. Since 2013, nearly three million visitors have enjoyed complimentary admission to MoMA’s collection, exhibitions, and film screenings through this generous sponsorship. UNIQLO’s partnership with MoMA also includes apparel and accessory lines inspired by artists in MoMA’s collection. Through this collaboration, millions around the world have been able to wear art on their sleeves.

Collection Overview

Launch date: Friday, February 26, 2021

Pricing: Php 790.00

No. of designs: 12 UTs (six each for men and women)

Availability: Men’s and Women’s S – XL available in All Stores

Men’s 2XL/3XL available in UNIQLO Online Store

Women’s XS/2XL available in UNIQLO Online Store

Special website: https://www.uniqlo.com/utgp/2020/ph/

Winning Designs

Grand Prix

Winner’s comments

My approach philosophically was deconstruction and fragmentation. I took elements and shapes from images and combined them into a single picture. This is both bewilderingly chaotic and familiar. I like that feeling. I was also drawn to the notion printing on an entire shirt. I chose images from 1940s and 1950s comics from around the world.

Second prize

Amandine Leforestier (United States, nationality: French)

Winner’s comments

Regarding this work, I wanted to create a pattern that combines flowers and animal spots. I was first inspired by the poppy, and then I detached myself from the floral reprocessing by playing with the shapes of the petals and the colors in order to evoke a tawny coat, and thus associate fragility with animalistic character.

Third prize

Winner’s comments

The contact wire design represents the interface between the cityscape and life. It is based on analog black and white photography. The aesthetic inspiration behind it is the concept of accepting transience and imperfection.

Finalist