Kader Attia Awarded Joan Miro Prize
The Franco-Algerian artist Kader Attia has won the sixth edition of the Joan Miró Prize. The prize, which is awarded by Fundació Joan Miró and Obra Social "la Caixa", is one of the most prestigious and generous contemporary art awards in the world.
The jury highlighted the breadth of his artistic research, especially with regard to the lingering effects of colonialism, his encyclopedic elaboration of the notion of "repair," and his passionate engagement with current affairs.
"la Caixa" Foundation will provide the cash prize of €70,000 and cover the cost of producing a monographic exhibition of Attia’s work, to be held in 2018 at Fundació Joan Miró.
Jury Statement
Having met to deliberate, the jury of the Joan Miró Prize (Premi Joan Miró) has unanimously agreed to distinguish French-Algerian artist Kader Attia with the award.
Launched in 2007, the Prize is awarded every two years to an international artist for his or her artistic achievement, as well as for his or her intellectual affinity with Joan Miró’s oeuvre and legacy.
In the case of Mr. Attia, the jury applauds the breadth of his research, his bold, syncretic approach to the impact and lingering effects of colonialism, as well as his encyclopaedic, yet nuanced, elaboration of the notion of “repair” as the basis of his artistic production. Attia's passionate engagement with current affairs and with the shared fate of humanity has close links to Joan Miró’s involvement in the critical episodes that marked his generation, while Attia's unique take on complex, often traumatic, human relationships across cultures resonates with Miró’s universal aspirations.
It is for these outstanding aspects of Kader Attia’s work that the jury is unanimous in its decision and is pleased to add his name to the growing and remarkable list of Joan Miró Prize winners.
Barcelona, October 2017