Ashfika Rahman wins The Future Generation Art Prize 2024 in Kyiv

The PinchukArtCentre (Kyiv, Ukraine) announces Ashfika Rahman (35, Bangladesh)as the winner of the Future Generation Art Prize 2024. Marking the prize’s 15th anniversary and 7th edition, the global art prize for artists under 35 offers a remarkable view on the artistic vision from the next generation of artists; discovering, recognizing and giving long-term support to a future generation of artists all over the world.

The winner was announced by the international jury in Kyiv on October 29. Ashfika Rahman received a total of 100,000 USD: 60,000 USD as a cash prize, and 40,000 USD to fund their artistic practice. An additional 20,000 USD was awarded to Special Prize winners Tara Abdullah Mohammed Sharif (27, Iraq), Bekhbaatar Enkhtur (29, Mongolia), Dina Mimi (29, Palestine), Hira Nabi (36, Pakistan), Ipeh Nur (30, Indonesia), Zhang Xu Zhan (35, Taiwan).  

Ashfika Rahman’s winning work for the PinchukArtCentre employs photography, prints, text and sculpture to examine the role of women in society. Often working with communities, Rahman articulates stories that have been historically silenced, not only in Bangladesh, where Rahman is based, but also globally. Drawing inspiration from territories that have been divided and renegotiated by geopolitical powers, Rahman’s work demonstrates a commitment and focus on the ideals of community building and repair in the face of collective trauma. 

The winners were chosen by the prize’s distinguished international jury, consisting of: Cecilia Alemani, Curator of The Milk of Dreams, 59th International Art Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia (2022); Björn Geldhof, Artistic Director at the PinchukArtCentre; Diane Lima, Independent curator, writer, and a key Black feminist voice in Brazilian contemporary art; Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung, Director and chief curator of Haus der Kulturen der Welt; Alicia Knock, Curator, Head of the Contemporary Creation and Prospective Department at the Centre Pompidou; Simon Njami, Independent curator, lecturer, art critic, and novelist and Hou Hanru, Art critic and curator, former Artistic Director of MAXXI, National Museum of 21st Century Arts, Rome.

The exhibition of the 21 shortlisted artists for the 7th edition of the Future Generation Art Prize is on show at the PinchukArtCentre in Kyiv until 19 January 2025. Featuring new works and recent projects by shortlisted artists, selected from over 12,000 entries across almost 200 countries, the artists bring unique cultural perspectives and a diversity of artistic approaches to Kyiv to engage with today’s most pressing issues. 

Established by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation in 2009, the Future Generation Art Prize is a biannual global contemporary art prize open to all artists aged 35 or younger. Championing creativity, the prize continues Ukraine’s important connection with the global arts community. 

Ashfika Rahman addressed the audience: “This award feels particularly meaningful, especially given the global political climate we're going through. Future Generation Art Prize offers a unique platform where voices can be heard openly, allowing us to be both expressive and politically engaged. This is a space where people from all over the world can speak freely. 

I’m very grateful for the opportunity, and I want to thank everyone who has stood by me throughout my artistic journey. This award isn't just a recognition of today—it holds lasting significance. I commend the courage of the organizers, who, despite numerous challenges, successfully created an open platform for expression. This edition of the award will serve as a remarkable example for the future of contemporary art. I would also like to emphasize that my exhibition is a collective effort, made possible by the community I work with, the curators and the entire team.”

Main Image: PinchukArtCentre c 2024. Photographed by Oleksandr Pilugin