Gala Porras-Kim and Tuan Andrew Nguyen Awarded MacArthur 'Genius' Fellowships

The MacArthur Foundation has named artists Gala Porras-Kim and Tuan Andrew Nguyen among its 2024 fellowship recipients. Each award includes an $800,000 stipend distributed over five years. Porras-Kim, a Colombian-Korean-American interdisciplinary artist, investigates the classification systems used by institutions for cultural artifacts. Her research-driven work frequently utilizes archaeological pieces and ritual objects to question the ethical frameworks of museum collections. Tuan Andrew Nguyen, a Vietnamese American artist, employs film, sculpture, and installation to explore the enduring consequences of conflict and displacement. His practice treats objects and images as vessels for memory, crafting narratives that oppose colonial narratives and foster communal recovery. The fellowship, established in 1981 and often called a 'genius grant,' provides unrestricted support to individuals demonstrating exceptional creativity. The selection recognizes 22 people across various fields this year. The award's financial support is paid in quarterly installments.