26\08\2011
Written by Narayana
Jameel Prize at The V&A
Awarded every two years, The Jameel Prize is a £ 25,000 international art prize for contemporary artists and designers inspired by Islamic traditions of craft and design. From a rich artistic heritage of the Islamic world the prize aims to raise awareness of the thriving interaction with contemporary practice. It has also contributed to a broader understanding of Islamic culture and its place in the world. The winner of The Jameel Prize 2011 will be announced at the V&A on 12 September.
The 10 artists and designers shortlisted for the prestigious Jameel Prize for 2011 are: Noor Ali Chagani, Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, Bita Ghezelayagh, Babak Golkar, Hayv Kahraman, Aisha Khalid, Rachid Koraïchi, Hazem El Mestikawy, Hadieh Shafie and Soody Sharifi.
Award-winning architect Zaha Hadid—Patron of the Jameel Prize—speaks: “It is a very exciting time for artists working in Islamic art tradition, there is a real spirit of innovation and creativity in the air. Their work now goes beyond established painting, sculpture and calligraphy to explore new media and reflect the diverse cultures and histories of the region. This work has evolved with its own characteristic voice, exploring future possibilities, yet is derived from rich cultural traditions and a timeless history. For millennia, the Islamic arts and sciences have bridged the cultural divide between East and West, teaching us that these worlds are not mutually exclusive, but rather layered upon each other and profoundly interlinked. The Jameel Prize gives us a very promising outlook to the future and I am pleased to see the region’s artists pushing new boundaries.”
Chairman of the Judges: Sir Mark Jones, Director of the V&A:
Sir Mark Jones was Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum for 10 years, starting in May 2001. This September he will become Master of St Cross College, Oxford.
The Judging Panel:
Navid Akhtar, Executive Director, Gazelle Media;
Wassan Al-Khudhairi, Director, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Qatar;
Afruz Amighi, artist and winner of the Jameel Prize 2009;
Dina Bakhoum, Conservation Programme Manager, The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Egypt.