'Working on Wonka was an incredible experience, and I hope it inspires other concept artists and designers in Northern Ireland to pursue their creative passions'

An artist from Armagh has won a prestigious award for his work on the Hollywood blockbuster Wonka.

Based in the Ulster University Belfast campus, Gerard Dunleavy, creative technologist at the Ulster Screen Academy, recently won the coveted Concept Art Association Award at the 2024 Concept Art Awards, held during LightBox Expo in Los Angeles.

Dunleavy’s outstanding work on Wonka, featuring Timothée Chalamet, earned him recognition among top concept artists worldwide for his concept art for the stunning Town Square location in the film.

Gerard also worked extensively on many of the location concept designs for the film including the zoo and the iconic Wonka chocolate shop.

Representing some of the most innovative minds in concept art, the Concept Art Association Awards celebrate excellence in visual development across film, animation, and gaming.

With a panel of industry experts judging categories like environment and keyframe design, the awards recognise the critical role of concept artists in shaping the visual storytelling of major productions.

Unable to attend the event in Los Angeles, Gerard, said: "It’s an honour to receive this award. Working on Wonka was an incredible experience, and I hope it inspires other concept artists and designers in Northern Ireland to pursue their creative passions.

"Special thanks to production designer Nathan Crowley all the amazing creatives I worked with on this project, and to my sister, Emma, for accepting the award on my behalf in Los Angeles and giving such a wonderful speech.

"Working on this film feels like a lifetime ago, but this award has brought back many fond memories. Thank you all again for this incredible honor.”

Gerard has worked with some of the world's leading studios including Warner Bros, Universal, Marvel, Framestore, The Mill, MPC, and Double Negative, among others. His work has appeared in high-profile film and TV projects such as Netflix's The Crown and Black Mirror series, Marvel's Thor and Captain Marvel films, and commercial clients such as Nike, Honda, BMW, and Guinness.

Thrilled with the award, Professor Frank Lyons, Associate Dean (Research & Innovation), added: “The Ulster Screen Academy is dedicated to preparing the next generation of creative talent in Northern Ireland, with a strong emphasis on virtual production and visual storytelling. Gerard’s success reflects the Academy’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of digital art and inspiring future filmmakers and artists.”