Zarina Bhimji awarded Roswitha Haftmann Prize 2024
Zarina Bhimji, a Ugandan-born artist of Indian descent, has won the 2024 Roswitha Haftmann Prize, Europe's most lucrative art award at CHF 150,000. The prize, administered by Kunsthaus Zürich and named after the late Swiss dealer, honors lifetime achievement. Previous winners include Walter De Maria, Maria Lassnig, and Cindy Sherman. Bhimji, exiled from Uganda at age 11, studied at Leicester Polytechnic, Goldsmiths, and the Slade School of Fine Art. Her work in photography and film explores deserted landscapes, light, and architectural details. Thomas Wagner of the Roswitha Haftmann Foundation praised her blend of life, art, politics, and history. The award ceremony is set for 29 November 2024 at Kunsthaus Zürich, where her films Yellow Patch (2011) and Blind Spot (2023) will screen from 8 November 2024 to April 2025.
Key facts
- Zarina Bhimji wins Roswitha Haftmann Prize 2024
- Prize is CHF 150,000, Europe's best-endowed art award
- Prize administered by Kunsthaus Zürich
- Bhimji was born in Uganda in 1963 to Indian parents
- She exiled Uganda at age 11 and moved to UK
- She studied at Leicester Polytechnic, Goldsmiths, Slade School of Fine Art
- Her work includes photographs and films of deserted landscapes
- Ceremony on 29 November 2024 at Kunsthaus Zürich
- Films Yellow Patch (2011) and Blind Spot (2023) to screen from 8 November 2024 to April 2025
Entities
Artists
- Zarina Bhimji
- Walter De Maria
- Maria Lassnig
- Robert Ryman
- Cindy Sherman
- Robert Frank
- VALIE EXPORT
- Cildo Meireles
Institutions
- Kunsthaus Zürich
- Roswitha Haftmann Foundation
- Leicester Polytechnic
- Goldsmiths
- Slade School of Fine Art
Locations
- Uganda
- UK
- Zürich
- Switzerland