Vartan Avakian, Rayyane Tabet, Iman Issa, Huma Mulji, Hrair Sarkissian, Winners of the 5th Abraaj Group Art Prize at Art Dubai 2013
The five winning artists of the fifth Abraaj Group Art Prize are in the final stages of producing their new artworks which will be unveiled at Art Dubai on March 19, 2013. The winners, announced last year, are: Vartan Avakian and Rayyane Tabet from Lebanon, Iman Issa from Egypt, Huma Mulji from Pakistan and Hrair Sarkissian from Syria.
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| Hrair Sarkissian Portrait |
HRAIR SARKISSIAN
Portrait of the artist with one of his artwork, 2012
Image courtesy of the artist
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| Hrair Sarkissian Artwork |
HRAIR SARKISSIAN
Istory - 6, 2010
Previous work. Courtesy of the artist Hrair Sarkissian and Kalfayan Galleries
They have been working closely with guest curator Murtaza Vali for the past six months on their ambitious projects, which have required them to experiment with new techniques, travel internationally and undertake new research.
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| Murtaza Vali Portrait |
MURTAZA VALI
Portrait of the artist by the photographer Siddharth Siva, 2012
Courtesy of the photographer
Accompanying the exhibition will be a publication designed by Brooklyn based design agency Project Projects, with commissioned essays from writers such as Haig Avazian, Adnan Madani Vali Mahlouji, Walid Sadek and Kaelen Wilson-Goldie.
Savita Apte, Chair of the Abraaj Group Art Prize, said: “The Selection Committee have consistently showcased creative excellence from the MENASA region highlighting artists who traverse national and regional boundaries with their work. This year's winners Vartan Avakian, Rayyane Tabet, Iman Issa, Huma Mulji and Hrair Sarkissian join an alumni who are already inspirational figures in the global art scene and whose works are shown increasingly in international institutions."
HUMA MULJI
Portrait of the artist by the photographer Siddharth Siva, 2012
Courtesy of the photographer
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| Iman Issa Portrait |
IMAN ISSA
Portrait of the artist, 2012
Courtesy of the artist
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| Huma Mulji Artist Portrait |
HUMA MULJI
Portrait of the artist by the photographer Siddharth Siva, 2012
Courtesy of the photographer
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| Huma Mulji Artwork |
HUMA MULJI
Ode To A Tubelight, 2011
Enamel and mixed media on canvas
Previous Artwork. Courtesy of the artist Huma Mulji
The five new works will bring the total number of artworks created by artists awarded the prize to 21, and will be part of the Abraaj Art Collection following their unveiling at Art Dubai 2013.
The aim of the Abraaj Group Art Prize is to give often under-represented, contemporary artists the resources to further develop their talent. Artists are invited to submit proposals for new artworks they would like to produce. Once chosen by the Selection Committee, the artists go on to produce the works. The artists collaborate with an internationally renowned curator. This allows them to tap the latest trends, while the prize gives them a global platform to showcase their works and their region. The Abraaj Group, a leading private equity investor operating in global growth markets of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, launched the art prize in 2008. To date, the 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 works were unveiled at Art Dubai and artworks have been exhibited at several venues in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Gulf and the US including: The National Museum of Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia (2012), the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, India (2012-2013), the Biennale of Sydney, Australia (2012); Future of a Promise, collateral event of the 54th Venice Biennale, Italy (2011); Museum of Photography, Braunschweig, Germany (2012), La Triennale, Palais de Tokyo, Paris, France (2012); Parasol Unit, London, UK (2012-2013); Museum of Arts and Design, New York, US (2009 and 2010); Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian’s Museum of Asian Art, Washington DC, US (2012-2013); Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai (2009, 2010, 2013) and the Maraya Arts Centre, Sharjah (2010), UAE.
Photographs of the previous Abraaj Group Art Prize exhibition that was unveiled at the Art Dubai fair. The 2012 exhibition untitled Spectral Imprints, curated by Nat Muller, presented artworks by Raed Yassin, Taysir Batniji, Wael Shawky, Risham Syed, Joana Hadjthomas and Khalil Joreige.
Entrance to Spectral Imprints, Abraaj Group Art Prize exhibition, 2012
Nat Muller, Curator. Artworks by Raed Yassin, Taysir Batniji, Wael Shawky, Risham Syed, Joana Hadjthomas and Khalil Joreige.
Photo Courtesy Abraaj Group Art Prize
Opening of Spectral Imprints, Abraaj Group Art Prize Exhibition, 2012
Visitors at the Spectral Imprints and exhibit by the winners of the 4th Abraaj Capital Art Prize, unveiled at Art Dubai 2012, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE on Monday, March 20, 2012.
Photo by Siddharth Siva. Courtesy Abraaj Group Art Prize
Abraaj Group Art Prize Unveiling at Art Dubai, 2012
Photo Courtesy Abraaj Group Art Prize
Abraaj Group Art Prize Unveiling at Art Dubai, 2012
Visitors at the Jumeirah Preview at Art Dubai 2012, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE on Monday, March 20, 2012. Photos by Siddharth Siva. Courtesy Abraaj Group Art Prize
