On Friday, 17 October 2025, the Critics’ Circle gathered in London to celebrate Tilda Swinton, presenting her with the Rose Bowl for Distinguished Service to the Arts — the Circle’s highest honour.
Tilda Swinton with The Rose Bowl
Jane Crowther, Linda Marric and Guy Lodge with Swinton
Corinne Julius and Jane Crowther with Tilda
Mark Lawson, acting chair of the Theatre section of the Critics’ Circle, introduced the annual Rosebowl Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Arts—explaining its history, voting process, and past winners. Since its establishment in 1988, the Rose Bowl has recognised individuals whose work has deeply influenced and enriched the arts across disciplines, from film and theatre to visual art and criticism. Past recipients include Dame Judi Dench, David Hockney, Mike Leigh, and Dame Emma Thompson — all figures who, like Swinton, have shaped the creative landscape through their vision, versatility and courage.
The luncheon wasn’t simply an awards ceremony; it was a gathering that underscored the vital connection between critics and creators, a relationship that the Critics’ Circle views as essential to keeping the arts alive and in conversation with the world.
When Tilda Swinton took the stage to accept the Rose Bowl, she spoke with warmth, gratitude and deep reflection on how her connection with criticism shaped her artistic life.
“To be in this company is really meaningful to me… the conversation with my colleagues is everything to me. I am not a solo artist. When I came to land in London, wanting to find the world of art, it was criticism that I found first. Remember when we used to go and buy, however broke we were, all the Sunday newspapers and spread them out on the floor, and they would stay there for a week and we’d read everything all of you wrote. Critics, criticism, the context of art, the context of the multidisciplinary nature of the artistic landscape, not only of London but of the planet, was the way I was able to imagine a space for myself.”
Mark Lawson
In her tribute to Swinton, Jane Crowther, chair of the Circle’s Film section, said:
“The Critics’ Circle was delighted to honour multi-discipline artist Tilda Swinton with the Rose Bowl this year. It’s always a pleasure to open communication between artists and critics, and Tilda stressed the importance of conversation in this endeavour. We were thrilled to be part of that dialogue.”
Corinne Julius, President of the Critics’ Circle, remarked on how fitting it was to recognise an artist who has continually pushed creative boundaries and brought critical thinking to the heart of her practice. Her words reminded the room that criticism and creativity are intertwined — two halves of the same conversation about culture and meaning.
Corinne Julius