Annette Kelm Wins Pauli Prize 2026

Annette Kelm, a talented photographer, has been announced as the winner of the 2026 Pauli Prize, a prestigious award in contemporary art in Germany. This prize, worth €30,000, is granted every two years to artists from German-speaking countries for their outstanding work. Kelm, who hails from Stuttgart and was born in 1975, is known for her conceptual approach to photography, particularly her recent series titled "Die Bücher" (The Books). This series features books that the Nazis banned and partially burned in 1933. The jury praised her for the clarity and strength of her concepts, emphasizing how the preserved books symbolize the endurance of ideas against oppressive censorship. Kelm was selected from a shortlist that included several other artists. The award ceremony is set for Tuesday, September 15, at 6 PM at the Kunsthalle Bremen, where the exhibition of nominees will run until October 4. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Pauli Prize, which was formerly known as the Kunstpreis der Böttcherstraße and is supported by a group of donors.