ABU DHABI: Nicène Kossentini has been crowned the winner of the prestigious Richard Mille Art Prize 2024, receiving a cash prize of $60,000. The award ceremony, held on December 11, 2024, took place at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Her winning piece, titled Landscapes, delves into the concept of disappearance. The work features five evocative video installations showcasing desolate landscapes from Tunisia’s central and southern regions. As the scenes play out, they gradually freeze and fade under a waxy layer, symbolising the slow erosion of both physical places and emotional spaces. This powerful imagery challenges viewers to confront the fleeting nature of existence.
Kossentini, a renowned Tunisian artist known for her interdisciplinary approach, was chosen from five finalists. Her selection was made by a distinguished jury led by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman of UAE Unlimited. Other jury members included experts like Dr Guilhem André (Louvre Abu Dhabi), Simon Njami (guest curator of Art Here 2024), Nujoom Alghanem (Emirati poet, artist, and film director), and Maya Allison (Director of NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery).
The 2024 theme, Awakenings, invited artists to explore the ideas of awakening, opening, and horizons through a blend of sculpture, multimedia, and installation art. This year’s finalists included Férielle Doulain-Zouari (Tilling the Soil), Lamya Gargash (Debutante Ball), Moataz Nasr (The Brides of the Sky), Sarah Almehairi (Shared Motion), and winner Nicène Kossentini (Landscapes).
Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, praised the artists, saying, “This edition achieved an exceptional level of maturity and dynamism.” He thanked Richard Mille for its support in fostering the growth of contemporary art.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2024 exhibition remains open to the public until December 15, 2024, featuring works from GCC and North African artists. The next edition’s theme will be announced in 2025.
