Five Sculptors Longlisted for 2025 Aesthetica Art Prize Explore Public Space and Materiality

Five artists have been longlisted for the 2025 Aesthetica Art Prize, all working in sculpture to investigate systems and environments beyond traditional gallery confines. Edina Seleskovic creates participatory experiences in public spaces, shifting from conventional settings to foster dialogue between institutions and communities. Marianne Broch sources ancient wood from remote mountain forests, carving outdoors to explore human experience and organic form. Gea Kalkhof crafts sculptures from clay, loam, stone, and metal, navigating tensions between organic and industrial forces while addressing ecological and social issues. Rein Kooyman uses simple materials like stones to reconnect audiences with nature's quiet beauty, influenced by mountain landscapes. Roc H Biel designs objects that blend classical silhouettes with surreal renders, playing with material truth and visual illusion. These artists treat three-dimensional form as a means to examine economic, social, and institutional systems shaping daily life. Their works often occupy public spaces, engaging broader audiences and inviting reflection on connections to the environment. The Aesthetica Art Prize remains open for entries with a deadline of 31 August. The article was posted on 14 February 2026.