The shortlist for Artes Mundi 11 has been announced. In the running for the prize are: Jumana Emil Abboud (born Shefa’amer, lives and works in London, UK and Jerusalem), Anawana Haloba (born Livingstone, lives and works in Oslo, Norway and Livingstone, Zambia), Antonio Paucar (born Huancayo, lives and works between Berlin, Germany and Huancayo, Peru), Kameelah Janan Rasheed (born East Palo Alto, lives and works in Brooklyn, USA), Sacintya Mohini Simpson (born Brisbane, lives and works in Brisbane, Australia), and Sawangwongse Yawnghwe (born Shan State of Burma, lives and works in Amsterdam, the Netherlands).
Given biannually following a touring exhibition, the Cardiff-based prize comes with an award of £40,000. It is the UK’s most lucrative art award and traditionally recognises artists whose work engages in social practice or is political in theme.
Previous winners of the biennial prize include Taloi Havini, Yael Bartana, Teresa Margolles, John Akomfrah and Apichatpong Weerasethakul.
An exhibition of the shortlisted artists, AM11, will take place at venues across Wales from 17 October 2025 through 22 February 2026.
Speaking on the announcement, the AM11 selectors Zoe Butt, Sohrab Mohebbi and Marie Helene Pereirasaid said: ‘Considering the fractious global politics we currently face, the jury noted particular strength in the selected artists’ stories, experiences and inherited memories as timely and necessary in this world that lives within a fear of difference. We look forward to this exhibition knowing it will showcase a broad array of perspective, methodology and belief.’