Narinder Sagoo becomes newest Patron of The Big Draw

Narinder Sagoo has been announced as the new patron of arts education charity, The Big Draw, during its global, month-long festival celebrating visual literacy and the universal language of drawing.

The announcement was made by Kate Mason, director of The Big Draw, during an event at Apple Regent Street, which took place as part of Apple’s celebration of The Big Draw Festival 2017.

Following the announcement, Narinder – Art Director at Foster + Partners - sketched an animated acceptance letter to The Big Draw.

It read:

‘It is an absolute honour and privilege to become and patron of The Big Draw. I am both delighted and humbled to accept.

I have always drawn, as a child discovering the world around me, through studying at school as a way of find the fun & joy in learning, and as a designer where drawing has allowed me to imagine the unseen – the future!

In that sense, the core values of The Big Draw are inseparable from everything I believe in as an artist, designer and vision maker.

I would like to take this opportunity to celebrate the work you have all done, to make The Big Draw a success it is today and thank you for the opportunity to champion drawing alongside you all.’

Aerial view of London. © Narinder Sagoo.

During Apple’s celebration of The Big Draw, Narinder was invited to discuss his impressive body of work and lead a cutting edge architectural drawing workshop using an iPad Pro, Apple Pencil and the Procreate app at Apple’s Regent Street store.

Lab design on iPad Pro. © Narinder Sagoo.

Narinder is most well-known for his perspective drawings and his unique ability to grasp and visualise architectural visions. Working closely alongside Lord Foster and other Senior Partners, Narinder has been personally involved in all of the practice’s projects over a period of two decades. He is responsible for all artistic representations of projects, from sketch and drawing, digital painting through to photorealistic representation.

Narinder joined Foster + Partners in 1996. In 2000, he became the youngest-ever associate at Foster + Partners, was made a project director the following year and was promoted to partner at the start of 2004.

Droneport. © Narinder Sagoo

Narinder’s team of artists continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in conveying not just the appearance of a built reality but its atmosphere, whilst exploring sensory relationships with the built and natural environment. Narinder continues to teach internationally.

Commenting on the importance of drawing to his work, Sagoo said:

‘The act of listening to a client, results in sketching our interpretation, drawing our ideas and painting our dreams together. Photorealism takes us forward in time to the point of reality, where we can imagine a future far beyond.’

Kate Mason, director of The Big Draw commented:

‘It is a huge pleasure and privilege to welcome Narinder into the charity as our newest Patron. His infectious passion and enthusiasm for drawing and visual communication is wonderfully manifest in every pen stroke and mark he makes!

Narinder’s values and championing to spread the word on how drawing can, quite literally, change lives is entirely aligned with the ambitions of The Big Draw at a time where increasingly arts, crafts and design subjects are sadly under threat.

On behalf of the trustees, team, patrons and ambassadors, we are delighted that Narinder joins us at what will be exciting times.

Already his energy and generosity of spirit is being felt and I am extremely excited about the creative opportunities and new horizons his support and Patronage will help take forward and realize.’

In becoming a patron of The Big Draw, Narinder Sagoo, joins Sir Quentin Blake, Lord Foster of Thames Bank, David Hockney OM CH, Andrew Marr, Sir Roger Penrose OM, Chris Riddell, Gerald Scarfe CBE, Posy Simmonds MBE, Bob & Roberta Smith RA.

For more information contact press@thebigdraw.org.