Ai Weiwei and Wim Wenders Win Praemium Imperiale

The Japan Art Association has revealed the laureates for the 2024 Praemium Imperiale, each set to receive 15 million yen (around £100,000). The recipients include Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of SANAA for architecture, Krystian Zimerman for music, Giulio Paolini for painting, Ai Weiwei for sculpture, and Wim Wenders for theatre/film. Additionally, the Grant for Young Artists, valued at approximately £33,000, has been awarded to the Kronberg Academy Foundation in Germany, which was founded in 1993 to nurture talented young string musicians and pianists. Established in 1989, the Praemium Imperiale is presented annually following recommendations from six global advisors. UK advisor Lord Patten of Barnes praised the award and the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, an advocate for the arts.