Preis der Nationalgalerie Nominees Issue Open Letter Criticizing Award
The four artists who made it to the finals for the 2017 Preis der Nationalgalerie—Sol Calero, Iman Issa, Jumana Manna, and Agnieszka Polska—have released an open letter expressing their concerns about the award's structure and the exhibition at Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum für Gegenwart in Berlin. They pointed out issues like the ongoing emphasis on their gender and nationalities in marketing, the lack of fees for artists, and the competitive aspect of the prize itself. While this prestigious German award celebrates artists under 40 in Berlin, it only offers an exhibition, not cash rewards. Agnieszka Polska won on October 20. The jury included Sheena Wagstaff and others. The letter calls for changes, such as artist fees and a shift in focus from sponsors to artists at the award ceremony.
Key facts
- Sol Calero, Iman Issa, Jumana Manna, and Agnieszka Polska issued an open letter criticizing the Preis der Nationalgalerie.
- The prize is hosted by Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum für Gegenwart in Berlin.
- It is a joint venture between the Nationalgalerie of the Staatliche Museen and Freunde der Nationalgalerie, with BMW as main sponsor.
- The artists objected to the emphasis on their gender and nationalities in marketing.
- No artist fee was offered for the exhibition or public talks.
- The prize carries no cash award; the winner gets an exhibition at a German state museum.
- Agnieszka Polska won the prize on October 20, 2017.
- The jury included Sheena Wagstaff, Udo Kittelman, Hou Hanru, Sven Beckstette, and Zdenka Badovinac.
Entities
Artists
- Sol Calero
- Iman Issa
- Jumana Manna
- Agnieszka Polska
- Sheena Wagstaff
- Udo Kittelman
- Hou Hanru
- Sven Beckstette
- Zdenka Badovinac
Institutions
- Preis der Nationalgalerie
- Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum für Gegenwart
- Nationalgalerie
- Staatliche Museen
- Freunde der Nationalgalerie
- BMW
Locations
- Berlin
- Germany