Mutina's 'This Is Not a Prize' Awarded to Japanese Artist Shimabuku

Mutina, the Italian ceramics brand, has awarded the fourth edition of its 'This Is Not a Prize' to Japanese artist Shimabuku (born 1969 in Kobe, Japan). The ceremony took place at Mutina's headquarters in Fiorano, Modena, with representatives from galleries Air De Paris and Zero Milano, which represent the artist. The prize is part of Mutina for Art, which includes the MUT exhibition space and the Dialogue collaboration program. The winner receives support for a future project over the following year. Last year's winner, Liz Larner, will have a show at Kunsthalle Zurich in June 2020. The jury included Sarah Cosulich (curator, Mutina for Art), Bart van der Heide (curator and director, Museion Bolzano), Barber & Osgerby (designers), Ambra Medda (design expert and journalist), and Massimo Orsini (CEO Mutina). They praised Shimabuku's unique artistic language, describing his works as poetic encounters that overturn perception. Shimabuku, a graduate of Osaka College of Art and San Francisco Art Institute, creates installations, sculptures, drawings, writings, photographs, and videos derived from interactions with people, animals, plants, and minerals.