El Anatsui Awarded Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at 56th Venice Biennale

Ghanaian artist El Anatsui received the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement from the Venice Biennale's board of directors, chaired by Paolo Baratta. This honor was granted based on a recommendation by curator Okwui Enwezor, who highlighted Anatsui's international acclaim and his impact on two generations of West African artists. The biennale also revealed its international jury members, tasked with awarding Golden Lions for best national participation and best artist in Enwezor's exhibition 'All the World's Futures,' along with a Silver Lion for a promising younger artist. Jurors include Naomi Beckwith from the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Sabine Bergeweiser of the Museum der Moderne Salzburg, Mario Codognato from 21er Haus Vienna, writer-curator Ranjit Hoskote, and Yongwoo Lee, former director of the Gwangju Biennale Foundation. The announcement was made in April 2015, underscoring the biennale's recognition of artistic influence and achievement.