Mediated by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Murad Montasemi, Hala Warda, Peter Harrison, Rand Abdul-Jabbar, Soraya Najim and Manuel Rabed.
Tuesday 21 March 2023 / 16:21
Louvre Abu Dhabi, in partnership with Richard Mille, announced Rand Abdul-Jabbar as the winner of the second edition of the Richard Mille Prize for Art at a special ceremony at the Louvre Museum. Exhibit their work Legends of the Sky (2019 to present) at the Art of Now 2022 exhibition in October 2022.
The exhibition and art awards highlighted the contemporary art scene in the UAE and GCC countries.
The winner will receive a $60,000 cash prize
Creating historical events
Rand Abdul-Jabbar (born in Baghdad in 1990) deconstructs the fleeting symbols of space, time and memory that he draws inspiration from in his style. His works, where he studies and interacts with historical, cultural and archaeological narratives, wonder about the fragility of material tradition in relation to the creation and creation of forms drawn on artefacts, architecture and mythology, while exploring and challenging the individual and collective. Memory for reconstructing fragmentary historical events and past experiences.
His work has been shown at Abu Dhabi Art, NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery, Gallery 421 and other international exhibitions. He has also held several art residencies and holds a Masters in Architecture.
Judgment Opinion
Rand Abdul-Jabbar was selected by a 5-member jury consisting of: Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman of the “Unlimited UAE” Platform, Murad Muntasami, Director of “Zaman Books and Museums Trust”, Architect Hala Warda, and Managing Director Dr. Thoraya. Njaim, Curator of Museum and Scientific Research at Louvre Abu Dhabi and Director of the Cultural Foundation and Reem Fada, Curator of the Art of Now exhibition.
Great success
Dr. Thoraya Njaim said: “The second edition of the Richard Mille Prize for Art and Art was a great success in Abu Dhabi at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, evident in the amazing level of participation, and it is an honor for me to be a member of the jury to witness this unique creativity and originality up close. The award has also been handled very gracefully.”
Creative touches
Peter Harrison, CEO of Richard Mille in Europe, Middle East and Africa, commented, “The artist Rand Abdul-Jabbar, as part of the expression of his theme, presented a special work of art that incorporates the best creative touches in contemporary art. This year’s exhibition is “Icon. My Icon.” I am fully confident that Rand will join Nasser Al-Jayani, the first person to win the award in its first edition, to pave the way for a new generation of contemporary artists in the Middle East and at the regional and international levels.
communication bridges
Manuel Rabet, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, commented, “Since its inception, Louvre Abu Dhabi has been keen to build bridges of communication between artists and the public. The museum is a source of inspiration for expanding its mission to achieve harmony between communities and support cultural exchange.
Capacity building
Rand Abdul-Jabbar said, “I am grateful to receive this award among colleagues who have the utmost respect and admiration for me, as this award is a very important investment in the development and promotion of the artist’s skills, development and inspiration. He should continue his career.
“Coffee evangelist. Alcohol fanatic. Hardcore creator. Infuriatingly humble zombie ninja. Writer. Introvert. Music fanatic.”
