BelgianArtPrize 2019 nominees withdraw amid criticism of all-male shortlist
So, the five artists nominated for the 2019 BelgianArtPrize have decided to pull out because of the backlash over the all-male shortlist. Sven Augustijnen, Koenraad Dedobbeleer, Gabriel Kuri, and the duo of Jos de Gruyter and Harald Thys announced that the focus has shifted from artistic merit to the conversation about white male privilege. Their choice came after an open letter from several people in Belgium's art community criticized the prize for being too exclusive. They clarified that their withdrawal wasn’t in support of a petition but was due to how the discussion has simplified the issue. The jury, which included notable names like Sophie Lauwers and Michel Moortgat, was not seen as biased. This situation highlights ongoing concerns about fairness and representation in art awards.
Key facts
- The five nominees for the 2019 BelgianArtPrize withdrew from the competition
- The withdrawal followed criticism of an all-male shortlist
- An open letter signed by hundreds of Belgium's art community members criticized the prize's "flagrant exclusivity"
- The nominees were Sven Augustijnen, Koenraad Dedobbeleer, Gabriel Kuri, and the duo Jos de Gruyter and Harald Thys
- The artists stated they withdrew because discussion had become reductive and shifted away from artistic merit
- The artists clarified they did not withdraw in solidarity with a Change.org petition
- The jury consisted of Sophie Lauwers, Kersten Geers, Bernard Marcelis, Michel Moortgat, Giuliana Setari Carusi, Philippe Van Cauteren, and Sylvie Winckler
- The artists stated they do not believe the jury made a discriminatory selection
Entities
Artists
- Sven Augustijnen
- Koenraad Dedobbeleer
- Gabriel Kuri
- Jos de Gruyter
- Harald Thys
- Sophie Lauwers
- Kersten Geers
- Bernard Marcelis
- Michel Moortgat
- Giuliana Setari Carusi
- Philippe Van Cauteren
- Sylvie Winckler
Institutions
- BelgianArtPrize
- Artforum
- Change.org
Locations
- Belgium