The prestigious Future Generation Art Prize, established in Ukraine in 2009, has announced its 2024 awardees, spotlighting a dynamic group of emerging artists. Dhaka-based artist Ashfika Rahman received the primary $100,000 prize, while six other global artists, including Iraqi-Kurdish artist Tara Abdullah Mohammed Sharif and Palestinian artist Dina Mimi, were awarded the “Special Prize” and will share $20,000 to develop their projects further.
Currently, works by the 21 shortlisted artists are on display at Kyiv’s PinchukArtCenter, with exhibitions running until January 19, 2025. Despite challenges from the 2022 Russian invasion, artists in Ukraine continue contributing actively. “A lot of artists are still actively present,” said Björn Geldhof, artistic director at PinchukArtCenter and jury member, emphasizing the importance of their role in both art and society.
This year’s prize exhibition focuses on themes of historical trauma, liberation, and the end of colonial influence. Geldhof highlighted the prize’s dedication to younger artists, noting the significance of curatorial support, gallery exposure, and museum access for emerging talents under 35. “We want to really speak to an emerging generation with the strong belief that they imagine the future,” Geldhof shared, recognizing the prize’s role in fostering unique perspectives on global issues.