Yto Barrada wins the Abraaj Group Art Prize

A handoout photo of Yto Barrada (Photo by Benoît Peverelli)

The Abraaj Group Art Prize has announced the winner of the 2015 edition.

Yto Barrada, a well known Moroccan artist who has exhibited in the Tate Modern (London) and MoMA (New York) amongst other prestigious institutions and the 2007 and 2011 Venice Biennale. Barrada has won a US$100,000 grant for a commissioned work that will be produced for the Abraaj Group Art Prize an exhibition at Art Dubai in March next year.

The exhibition will also feature previous works by the three shortlisted artists—Sarnath Banerjee, Setareh Shahbazi and Mounira Al Solh. Omar Kholeif, who has been selected as The Abraaj Group Art Prize 2015 Guest Curator, will curate the exhibition.

“I am particularly excited by the new format of The Abraaj Group Art Prize,” says Kholeif. “By being able to access existing bodies of work alongside the new commission, there will be potential for a rich storytelling experience and a rigorous curatorial framework.”

The Abraaj Group, a leading private equity manager investing in global growth markets, launched The Abraaj Group Art Prize in 2008 to foster and reward artistic development in the region. Marking this year’s announcement, Frederic Sicre, Managing Director at The Abraaj Group said: “The Abraaj Group Art Prize is the flagship of our arts patronage programme and reflects our unwavering commitment to the promotion of the arts. The art scene in the region has been expanding at a remarkable pace, and as the prize turns seven, we are excited about the creative and innovative talent showcased. The Abraaj Group Art Prize has lent artworks to over 30 institutions worldwide, commissioned six publications and this year’s winners will bring the works of art in the Abraaj Group Art Prize Collection to 26.”

Savita Apte, Chair of The Abraaj Group Art Prize, added: “The new iteration of The Abraaj Group Art Prize reflects an international acknowledgement of the diverse and mature art ecosystem in the MENASA region. Each year it will focus on a singular winner but also anticipate future winners by showcasing a cast of shortlisted artists. The 2015 winner and shortlisted artists have already participated in various exhibitions to critical acclaim, and are seen as influential on their peers and the art world at large.”

* Art Dubai will run next year from March 18-21. For more information visit artdubai.ae