Ali Eyal Wins Hammer Museum's 2025 Mohn Award with Distorted Painting on Iraq Invasion

Ali Eyal, an artist from Baghdad born in 1994, has just snagged the Hammer Museum's Mohn Award, which comes with a $100,000 cash prize. This award, part of the museum's "Made in L.A." exhibition since its inception in 2012, highlights up-and-coming artists in Los Angeles. Eyal's standout piece, And Look Where I Went (2025), is a striking oil painting almost four meters wide, depicting distorted figures against a fiery sky. The artwork reflects his childhood experience of the 2003 US invasion of Iraq and a visit to the 9/11 Memorial. The jury praised its emotional depth and resilience. Eyal's work also touches on themes of memory and political violence, earning him recognition in various international exhibitions. Along with Eyal, Carl Cheng and Greg Breda received awards in different categories. The exhibition runs until March 1.