Royal College of Art Announces Pokémon Scholars

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London’s Royal College of Art and the Pokémon with You Foundation yesterday announced the winners of the Pokémon Scholarship.

MA Sculpture student Betty C Fan and MA/MSc Innovation Design Engineering student Lucie Legrandois will have their fees for the 2023–2024 academic year covered by the scholarship. They are invited to visit the Pokémon Company in Japan next year.

‘The aim of the Pokémon Scholarship is to support students who will pave the way towards a brighter future through the power of creative art and design,’ said Tsunekazu Ishihara, Representative Director Chairman of Pokémon with You Foundation.

‘As a former designer in architecture interested in world-building, I am inspired by the Pokémon universe—its expansive storyline centred around adventure, friendship, and cultural immersion showcases creative values that I would like to share in my artwork,’ Fan said.

‘I believe in playing, be it with societal norms, materials or technologies, and I feel this perfectly aligns with Pokémon with You Foundation values,’ said Legrandois.

The Pokémon with You Foundation was established by volunteers at the Pokémon Company in response to the Tōhoku earthquake in 2011. —[O]

Main image: Katherine Bernhardt, Pikachu Pikaball (2021). Acrylic and spray paint on canvas. 152.4 x 121.9 cm. © Katherine Bernhardt. Courtesy the artist and David Zwirner, Hong Kong and Canada, New York.