Iraqi-Finnish artist Adel Abidin has been announced as the winner of the fifth Ithra Art Prize. The prestigious award, presented by the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture (Ithra), selected Abidin’s proposal out of a shortlist of 10 artists. His winning piece, titled “ON,” is a wall installation that delves into the intricate nature of capturing events and explores the intersection of history, memory, and identity. The artist was granted a prize of $100,000 for his thought-provoking artwork.
Abidin’s inspiration for “ON” stemmed from his extensive research on the Zanj rebellion, which took place in southern Iraq in 869 AD during the Abbassid Caliphate. As he delved into the intangible aspects of history, the artist faced the challenge of limited reliable archival sources, a predicament often encountered in Arab history. Ambiguities in historical records provide room for diverse interpretations and augmentations, a fascinating complexity that Abidin found exemplified in the Zanj rebellion. Oral accounts of the uprising, which survived through the years, were found to have been interrupted or altered depending on the perspective of the recorder. These inconsistencies and complexities served as catalysts for the conceptualization of “ON.”
Throughout his career, Adel Abidin has continuously explored the connections between art, politics, memory, and identity. His unique cross-cultural background has enabled him to create a visually engaging language filled with paradoxes yet universally relatable. The $100,000 grant bestowed upon him as the Ithra Art Prize winner will provide the necessary resources for Abidin to bring his project to life. Once completed, the artwork will become a part of the esteemed Ithra collection.
Farah Abushullaih, the head of museums at Ithra, expressed the institution’s commitment to fostering the development of the creative industries within Saudi Arabia, the region, and globally. The Ithra Art Prize, recognized as one of the largest art grants in the region, aims to support artists in producing significant and meaningful work. By inspiring creative thought, broadening cultural horizons, and empowering talented individuals, the prize plays a vital role in strengthening the art ecosystem. The judging panel consisted of prominent figures in the art world, including art historian Andree Sfeir-Semler, Bahraini artist Balqees Fakhro, curator and art historian Murtaza Vali, and Ridha Moumni, the deputy chairman of Middle East and North Africa at Christie’s.
Adel Abidin’s recognition as the winner of the fifth Ithra Art Prize solidifies his position as a visionary artist exploring the complexities of history, memory, and identity. Through “ON,” his captivating wall installation, Abidin aims to shed light on the intricate nature of capturing and interpreting historical events. The generous grant awarded to him by Ithra will provide the necessary support to bring his project to fruition, contributing to the enrichment of the art landscape and cultural dialogue both locally and internationally.