Lubaina Himid Wins Maria Lassnig Prize 2023
Lubaina Himid, Archival Manoeuvres (2023). Acrylic and charcoal on canvas. 184 x 184 cm. © Lubaina Himid. Courtesy the artist and Hollybush Gardens. Photo: Eva Herzog.
The Maria Lassnig Foundation has awarded the Maria Lassnig Prize to Turner Prize-winning artist Lubaina Himid.
Born in Zanzibar in 1954, Himid’s practice has long dealt with themes of colonialism, slavery, identity, and gender. In 2017, she became the first Black woman to win the Turner Prize, and she received a CBE for her contributions to art in 2018.
Himid receives a €50,000 (US $54,000) cash prize and the opportunity to present an exhibition at the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing in 2025. It will be her first solo show in Asia.
In a statement, UCCA Director Philip Tinari said, ‘Lubaina Himid’s bold formal innovations and trenchant historical explorations have established her as one of the most important voices in global contemporary art. UCCA is honoured and thrilled to be able to present her work to audiences in China for the first time.’
Lubaina Himid is the fourth artist to receive the Maria Lassnig Prize, which was conceived by Austrian artist Maria Lassnig before her death in 2014 at the age of 94. Lassnig only found widespread recognition later in life, and wanted to support mid-career artists to make their own breakthroughs.
Each edition of the prize is held in collaboration with a different institution.
The previous winners of the Maria Lassnig Prize are Atta Kwami (2021, Serpentine Galleries, London), Sheela Gowda (2019, Lenbachhaus, Munich), and Cathy Wilkes (2017, MoMA PS1, New York).
UCCA will present a Maria Lassnig exhibition in Beijing from 2 September 2023 to 7 January 2024. —[O]
Main image: Lubaina Himid, Archival Manoeuvres (2023). Acrylic and charcoal on canvas. 184 x 184 cm. © Lubaina Himid. Courtesy the artist and Hollybush Gardens. Photo: Eva Herzog.
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