Image Courtesy | Ela Bialkowska, OKNO Studio for PinchukArtCentre, Future Generation Art Prize 2024 

The PinchukArtCentre (Kyiv, Ukraine) presents an exhibition of the 21 shortlisted artists for the 7th edition of the Future Generation Art Prize. Running from October 4, 2024, to January 19, 2025, the show brings together works by shortlisted artists spanning five continents, championing creativity and continuing Ukraine’s important connection with the global arts community. 

Featuring new works and recent projects, the artists bring unique cultural perspectives and a diversity of artistic approaches to Kyiv to engage with today’s most pressing issues. Curated by Inga Lāce, Oleksandra Pogrebnyak and Daria Shevtsova, the exhibition explores local histories and mythologies to overcome historical trauma and the long-lasting effects of wars, as well as the process of liberation from the oppression of colonial influence. A defining aspect of this year's nominees is their deep sensitivity to the inner ties that unite families and communities, and their exploration of collective actions for solidarity and healing from loss. In their works, the artists remain committed to examining identity, weaving together conversations with past generations and the landscapes that shape them. 

Established by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation in 2009, the Future Generation Art Prize is a biannual global contemporary art prize open to all artists aged 35 or younger. Offering a remarkable view of the artistic vision of the next generation of artists, the prize discovers, recognizes, and gives long-term support to a future generation of artists worldwide.

Image Courtesy | Ela Bialkowska, OKNO Studio for PinchukArtCentre, Future Generation Art Prize 2024 

Inga Lāce, сo-curator of the exhibition, highlights the artists' shared empathy with Ukraine: "During our first conversations with the artists, we felt a strong sense of solidarity as they expressed their desire to connect their experiences to Ukraine. This connection emerged through discussions about the abstraction of war statistics, personal stories of grief, and global practices of resilience. We also encountered numerous emancipatory voices of women—stories and practices from those who have been historically oppressed or marginalised in different parts of the world but are now finding their footing. These conversations naturally led us to question how, in moments of political deadlock, hope can emerge—how movements can form, bringing bodies and energy towards hope, resistance, and ultimately, liberation." 

The shortlist of the Future Generation Art Prize 2024 includes Sinzo Aanza (33, Congo), Tara Abdullah Mohammed Sharif (27, Iraq), Julian Abraham ‘Togar’ (36, Indonesia), Andrius Arutiunian (32, Lithuania), Salim Bayri (31, Morocco), Castiel Vitorino Brasileiro (27, Brazil), Giulia Cenci (35, Italy), Nolan Oswald Dennis (35, South Africa), Yasmine El Meleegy (32, Egypt), Bekhbaatar Enkhtur (29, Mongolia), Veronika Hapchenko (28, Ukraine), Dana Kavelina (28, Ukraine), Marie-Claire Messouma Manlanbien (33, France), Dina Mimi (29, Palestine), Sandra Mujinga (34, Norway), Hira Nabi (36, Pakistan), Ipeh Nur (30, Indonesia), Ashfika Rahman (35, Bangladesh), Buhlebezwe Siwani (36, South Africa), Zhang Xu Zhan (35, Taiwan) and Ziyang Wu (33, China). 

The artist Dana Kavelina is included as the winner of the PinchukArtCentre Prize 2022 — a national contemporary art prize awarded to Ukrainian artists aged 35 years old or younger. All other artists were chosen by an international selection committee, which includes: Mariam Elnozahy, Curator, researcher, and writer, who now has been appointed Artistic Director of Konsthall C in Stockholm, Sweden, Marta Papini, Associate curator of The Parliament of Marmots, the 9th Biennale Gherdëina (2024), curated by Lorenzo Giusti, Billy Fowo, Curator at SAVVY Contemporary Berlin and writer, Raphael Chikukwa, Executive director and chief curator of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Evelyne Jouanno, Independent curator and art historian, professor at NABA in Rome, Thiago de Paula Souza, Co-curator of 1000°, the 38th Panorama of Brazilian art, Inga Lāce, Chief сurator of the Almaty Museum of Arts.

The selection committee was appointed by the Future Generation Art Prize’s distinguished international jury which includes: Cecilia Alemani, Curator of The Milk of Dreams, 59th International Art Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia (2022), Björn Geldhof, Artistic Director of the PinchukArtCentre, Diane Lima, Independent curator, writer and a key Black feminist voice in Brazilian contemporary art, Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung, Director and chief curator of Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Alicia Knock, Curator, Head of the Contemporary Creation and Prospective Department at the Centre Pompidou, Simon Njami, Independent curator, lecturer, art critic, novelist, Hou Hanru, Art critic and curator based in Paris and Rome, former Artistic Director of MAXXI, National Museum of 21st Century Arts, Rome.

Image Courtesy | Ela Bialkowska, OKNO Studio for PinchukArtCentre, Future Generation Art Prize 2024 

The jury will determine the winners of the main prize and special prizes during the Future Generation Art Prize exhibition at the PinchukArtCentre in Kyiv. Prizes are awarded at a ceremony in October 2024. The main prize winner receives a US $100,000 split between a $60,000 cash prize and a $40,000 investment in their practice. A further $20,000 is awarded as a special prize/s between up to five artists at the discretion of the jury for supporting projects that develop their artistic practice. A major contribution to the open participation of younger artists in the dynamic cultural development of societies in global transition, the Prize has supported the artistic development and production of new works of over 120 artists in exhibitions at the PinchukArtCentre in Kyiv and the Venice Biennale. 

The Future Generation Art Prize is widely acknowledged as a springboard for emerging talent. Lynette Yiadom Boakye won the Prize in 2012, before going on to be shortlisted for the Turner Prize and a highly successful solo show at the Serpentine Gallery in London in 2015. The winner of the first edition of the Prize, Cinthia Marcelle, represented Brazil at the 57th International Art Exhibition in 2017. Previous main prize winners also include Dineo Seshee Bopape, winning in 2017, who represented South Africa at the 58th International Art Exhibition in 2019. 

PinchukArtCentre was founded in September 2006 by businessman and philanthropist Victor Pinchuk. It is one of the largest and most dynamic private contemporary art centres in Central and Eastern Europe. With over 3,3 million visitors, the PinchukArtCentre has become an international hub for contemporary art, developing the Ukrainian art scene while generating critical public discourse for society as a whole. For 15 years, the PinchukArtCentre has provided free access to new ideas, perceptions and emotions. Its exhibition program investigates national identity in the context of international challenges. It engages the public in a dynamic dialogue through a full range of educational and discursive events.

Image Courtesy | Ela Bialkowska, OKNO Studio for PinchukArtCentre, Future Generation Art Prize 2024