Sovereign Asian Art Prize Announces Finalists

One third from Southeast Asia
By Ho See Wah

Lim Sokchanlina, ‘Wrapped Future II’, 2017-2019, photography, edition 3/5 + 2AP, 156 x 104cm. Image courtesy of the artist and The Sovereign Art Foundation.Lim Sokchanlina, ‘Wrapped Future II’, 2017-2019, photography, edition 3/5 + 2AP, 156 x 104cm. Image courtesy of the artist and The Sovereign Art Foundation.

The Sovereign Art Foundation has announced the names of shortlisted artists for the 2020 Sovereign Asian Art Prize. This coveted award presents a cash prize of USD30,000 to a mid-career artist from the Asia-Pacific, and past awardees include Pakistani artist Ahmed Javed, British-Pakistani artist Halima Cassell and Chinese artist Li Hongbo. Other awards are the Public Vote Prize of USD1,000 to one finalist and the Vogue Hong Kong Women’s Art Prize of USD5,000 to a female finalist. For the former prize, members of the public can vote for their favourite artwork via the Foundation’s website. Past awardees include Pakistani artist Ahmed Javed, British-Pakistani artist Halima Cassell and Chinese artist Li Hongbo.

For its 16th edition, the Foundation received the largest number of entries in its history, totalling at 611 from across 30 countries. 31 finalists were chosen by a panel of five: David Elliot, writer, curator, and previous Director of Mori Art Museum, Istanbul Modern; Jan Dalley, Arts Editor of Financial Times; Jiyoon Lee, art historian, curator, writer and art strategy consultant; Miao Xiaochun, artist and Professor at Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing; and Zhou Li, artist.

Deden Hendan Durahman, ‘Look//After; Cityscapes #02’, 2019, photographic print on cotton canvas, edition of 2 + 1AP, 150 x 60 x 5cm. Image courtesy of the artist and The Sovereign Art Foundation.

Artists from Southeast Asia make up a third of the finalists. Hailing from Indonesia are Deden Hendan Durahman, Taufik Ermas and Made Wiguna Valasara. The artists were nominated by curators Rifky Effendy, Sally Texania, and Effendy and Texania respectively.

Sarah Choo Jing, ‘Accelerated Intimacy (Matthew and Brenda)’, 2018, digital print, edition 2/5 + 1AP, 110 x 110cm. Image courtesy of the artist and The Sovereign Art Foundation.

From Singapore are Sarah Choo Jing and Nicola Anthony. Both were finalists in the 2019 edition. In addition, Anthony received a nomination from ARTITUTE Founder Suzzana Chew for this year’s prize.

Thyitar, ‘Marriage’, 2019, photograph of performance art, 60 x 87.5cm. Image courtesy of the artist and The Sovereign Art Foundation.

Myanmar’s two finalists are Nge Lay and Thyitar. Nge Lay was a finalist from the previous edition, whereas Thyitar was nominated by artist Aye Ko.

Bui Cong Khanh, ‘Plastic Hearts’ (framed), 2019, hand-carved jackfruit wood, 110 x 110 x 5.5cm. Image courtesy of the artist and The Sovereign Art Foundation.

Other Southeast Asians are Malaysian artist Anniketyni Madian and Vietnamese artist Bui Cong Khanh, both previous finalists, and Cambodian artist Lim Sokchanlina and Thai artist Rushdi Anwar. Sokchanlina was nominated by artist and Mirage Contemporary Art Space Director & Co-founder Serey Siv whereas Anwar was nominated by curator Kittima Chareeprasit.

Winners for the various prizes will be announced in May 2020, and the Finalists Exhibition will take place on 8 May 2020 in Hong Kong.  


For more information on The Sovereign Asian Art Prize and to vote for your favourite artwork online, please visit sovereignartfoundation.com/art-prizes/the-sovereign-asian-art-prize/