The shortlisted artists for the 7th edition of the Ithra Art Prize have been revealed by the King Abdulaziz Center for Culture (Ithra).
The artists, selected from over 500 submissions, are Bady Dalloul, Aseel AlYaqoub, Heba Y. Amin, Ala Younis and Jawad Al Malhi, who were chosen for the strength of their respective practices and wide-ranging impact across contemporary art in the Arab world. Each artist’s work spans a wide range of media, highlighting themes of memory, colonial legacy and displacement.
An international jury made up of experts in the arts from a variety of professional backgrounds, including Farah Abushullaih, the head of Ithra’s museum, Tarek Abou El Fetouh, Dr Nada Shabout, Jérôme Sans and artist Nadia Kaabi-Linke. Alongside the jury, Sara Al Omran stepped into the role of advisor at Ithra with a focus on the Ithra Art Prize.
In a departure from previous editions, each artist will receive a production grant to create a commissioned artwork, which will then be showcased in an exhibition at Ithra in the spring of this year.
The Ithra Art Prize, now in its seventh year, is one of the foremost art prizes in the Arab world. By supporting artists, it aims to provide a platform to bolster artistic creation while expanding dialogue across the region. The recipient of the Ithra Art Prize will receive a sum of USD 100,00 as a grant while their work will be acquired by the Ithra art collection.
The Head of Ithra’s Museum, Farah Abushullaih commented, “The development and expansion of the Ithra Art Prize since its launch have established it as an important platform for artistic expression. This year’s shortlist reflects the incredible diversity, creativity, and critical thought shaping contemporary art in the Arab world. Expanding the shortlist to include five finalists aims to strengthen dialogue across cultures and generations, while reaffirming Ithra’s support for artists and their distinct artistic perspectives.”
