The Brit Awards trophy design unveiling is always highly anticipated by the press and public, as it is usually designed by a well-known artist or industry creative. This year is unprecedented, in the past the designer has been contemporary and living. The 2017 edition has been designed by the late Iraqi-born British architect Dame Zaha Hadid, who died suddenly last March aged 65 of a heart attack while visiting Florida. She is best known in this country for her London Olympic Aquatics Centre, which was used in the 2012 games.
“Like Zaha, they are innovative and original and have gone well beyond our expectations” – Jason Iley Brit Awards Chairman
Past designers of the award have included Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst, and Sir Peter Blake. Dame Zaha’s studio said: “Zaha had an initial meeting with her team and gave them very clear instructions on her concept. Her concept was fully respected and carried out in the final product but unfortunately, she didn’t see the final design.”
The trophy sketch was unveiled in October, and the completed 3D versions have now been revealed. The architect’s initial design was realised by Maha Kutay, director at Zaha Hadid Design. Along with a team from the design studio, she produced a family of five statues, a concept she believes “represents diversity” by being “different yet connected”.
Brit Awards chairman Jason Iley said: “We are delighted with the finished statues. “Like Zaha, they are innovative and original and have gone well beyond our expectations to create something special that will progress the award into the future.” He said Dame Zaha had told him she had a “vision” for the creation.
Five different statues have been revealed, but only one – a depiction of Britannia with her hips jutting to one side – will be handed out to winners at the February ceremony. The Brit Awards ceremony takes place on 22 February 2017.