The artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen has been knighted in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours. McQueen, whose portraits of all London’s Year 3 school pupils is currently on show at Tate Britain, was given an OBE in 2002 and a CBE in 2011 for services to art. McQueen becomes Sir Steve in recognition of his cinema work, which includes the film 12 Years a Slave (2013) and Widows (2018).
Also joining the politicians, civil servants, entertainers and charity workers recognised, was Tim Marlow, the outgoing artistic director of the Royal Academy of Arts in London, who was recently appointed chief executive and director of London’s Design Museum. The former White Cube man, known also for his TV work, was given an OBE. Receiving the same gong was artist David Shigley, the artist known for his often whimsical drawings.
A total of 1,097 people have received an award, which are given out by the Queen on the recommendation of the government. Half were women, nine percent of those recognised came from a ethnic minority, while three percent of recipients identified as being LGBT+ and 11 per cent have a disability.
28 December 2019
