Nguyễn Trinh Thi Wins Inaugural $100,000 Moving Image Commission 2021

The Han Nefkens Foundation, Mori Art Museum, M+ and Singapore Art Museum – Moving Image Commission 2021 involves the production of a screen-based artwork. Nguyễn Trinh Thi will receive USD $100,000 for the production of a new work, for which she will be given up to eighteen months to complete. The newly produced work will be exhibited in each participating institution. 

Nguyễn Trinh Thi: "It's my complete honour to receive this prestigious award. Thank you so much for creating such a generous commission for Asia and Southeast Asia, where non-commercial experimental art practices still receive so little acknowledgement and attention. This support will allow me to work on a dream project, with collaborations from a wider network of colleagues and communities."

The Moving Image Commission 2021 Jury: “Nguyễn Trinh Thi was selected for her compelling video works that weave unspoken stories about Vietnam within the broader historical, cultural and political realities of Southeast Asia. We believe it is imperative for Nguyễn to show these perspectives from the region and we are enthusiastic about the use of listening as a methodology, especially in terms of perceiving history in Nguyễn’s works. We trust that she will benefit wholly from the Commission at this moment in her career. We are excited about Nguyễn expanding her path of interrogation and we look forward to the project being brought to fruition”"

Nguyễn Trinh Thi was selected by a final jury chaired by Han Nefkens and composed of the directors of each museum (Kataoka Mami, Director, Mori Art Museum; Suhanya Raffel, Museum Director, M+ and Dr Eugene Tan, Director, Singapore Art Museum) in the presence of Hilde Teerlinck, General Director Han Nefkens Foundation and Alessandra Biscaro, Coordinator Han Nefkens Foundation. This unique collaboration aims to strengthen the relations among the institutions, developing a project that is first and foremost sustainable.

Han Nefkens, Han Nefkens Foundation: “I feel inspired by the constructive dialogue that emerged from the jury meetings and the harmonious way in which the directors of the three museums came to a decision. I’m very much looking forward to continuing this uplifting exchange of ideas.”

Suhanya Raffel, Museum Director, M+: “M+ is proud to be part of this very inspiring collaboration, and we look forward to showing the completed work by Nguyễn Trinh Thi at our museum which will open this November. We are eager to see what the artist will bring to life through her unique perspective and forms of storytelling.”

Mami Kataoka, Director of the Mori Art Museum, Tokyo: “I am delighted to celebrate this opportunity to bring Nguyen Trinh Thi, a well-respected artist in Asia, into the broader realm of international recognition, while adding an outstanding museum piece by Nguyen to our collection. I am looking forward to learning, through her fresh perspective, about yet another layer of what we may call ‘Asia’."

Dr. Eugene Tan, Director, Singapore Art Museum: “SAM is pleased to be part of this important commission, which will push the boundaries for the moving image as a key medium in contemporary art and enable meaningful exchanges between our partner museums. We look forward to seeing the unique perspectives and stories that Nguyễn’s new work will offer.”