Award presented to Palestinian artist Samia Halaby by Munch Museum for her relentless activism against injustices.
The Munch Museum in Oslo has announced the second recipient of the Munch Award, an annual prize established last year. This year, the honour goes to Palestinian artist Samia Halaby, a pioneer of abstract painting and a vocal critic of censorship in the arts.
The Munch Award, which carries a prize of 300,000 Norwegian krones (around $30,000), recognises artists for their 'long-standing courage and integrity.' Halaby, born in 1936, has been commended for her 'long-term commitment to protesting injustices related to class, gender, and race.'
The jury for the Munch Award this year included Tone Hansen, Wanda Nanibush, Yvette Mutumba, Cosmin Costinas, and Tominga O'Donnell. Each member brings a unique perspective to the selection process, reflecting the Award's commitment to fostering diverse voices in the art world.
Toning O'Donnell, a curator at the Munch Museum, highlighted Halaby's resilience in the face of censorship, stating, 'Halaby has been a vocal critic of censorship in the arts for decades and has faced and overcome it herself.'
Munch Museum director Tone Hansen added, 'Honouring Samia Halaby celebrates her commitment to art as a voice for justice and change.' Cosmin Costinas, a curator at Haus der Kulturen der Welt in Berlin, also praised Halaby's work, saying, 'Her art is a powerful testament to the power of artistic freedom of expression.'
Last year, the inaugural Munch Award was given to Brazilian artist Rosana Paulino. Paulino used the funds from the Award to create the Rosana Paulino Institute in São Paulo, dedicated to the impact of the Black image in Brazilian society.
As for Halaby, she has not yet announced how she will use the prize money from the Munch Award. However, her commitment to using art as a tool for change suggests that the funds will be put to good use in continuing her work.
The Munch Award honours the legacy of Edvard Munch, the renowned Norwegian artist known for his expressive works, particularly 'The Scream.' The Munch Museum houses the world's largest collection of Munch's works, making it a fitting venue for the Munch Award.
The Munch Award serves as a reminder of the importance of artistic freedom of expression and the courage it takes to stand up for one's beliefs. With each new recipient, the Award continues to celebrate artists who embody these values and inspire us with their work.
