Stacion – Center for Contemporary Art Prishtina is pleased to announce that the jury of the Artists of Tomorrow Award 2022, comprised of Anne Barlow, the director of the TATE St Ives, Miljana Dunđerin, artist, director of the private Cultural Center "Akvarijus", Laura Raicovich, writer, curator, Bernhard Rüdiger, artist, professor at École Nationale des Beaux Arts, Driton Selmani artist, has selected the winner to the Artists of Tomorrow Award 2022.

The jury has issued the following statement:

The jury gathered in Prishtina from 1 to 3 December to select the winner of the Artists of Tomorrow Award 2022.

We were delighted to meet each of the finalists Mimoza Sahiti, Valdrin Thaqi and Agrina Vllasaliu and to discuss the work presented in the exhibition.

The jury was impressed by the way in which the finalists developed their ideas for the exhibition and responded to the Boxing Club and the collaboration with the curatorial team and the production team of Stacion - Center for Contemporay Art Prishtina. Each artist presented their unique vision and approach in the exhibition that we believe will continue to make a vital contribution to contemporary art practice in Kosovo and beyond.

Mimoza Sahiti’s installation of paintings reflects an extraordinary artistic spirit and deeply personal aesthetic. Characterized by extremely sensitive drawing, and texture as a carrier of the gestural and psychological, her paintings collectively communicate a surreal figurative world. The instinctive and visceral nature of her work emanates from a place that seems largely unconscious, perhaps bordering on naïve art and art brut, while at the same time reflecting a voice that is uniquely her own. Transmitting a certain rage through the very surface of the paint itself, her work reflects a fierce feminism.

The subject matter in Valdrin Thaqi’s work stems from a curiosity and drive that feels both urgent and instinctive, yet in the process of its creation, it goes through a process of refinement that translates into a body of work that is rigorous and precise. His recent installations are highly experimental and the jury was impressed by his deep consideration of the public’s encounters with his work, physically positioning viewers to engage with the forms presented. Drawing on multiple references including art, science, technology and various mythologies, through myriad materials his research and artistic practice address critical issues of our time in terms of the post-natural and post-human.

Agrina Vllasaliu’s work poignantly addresses her position as an artist of the diaspora through photography, sculpture and installation. In looking at notions of home and identity through a feminist and critical lens, the installation in this exhibition is highly personal in terms of her own experience and the inclusion of culturally specific visual references. At the same time, in dealing with notions of displacement, alienation, trauma and a desire to challenge traditions and attitudes that are passed down also through the diaspora, it tackles universal issues that have the capacity to connect with the experiences of many.

In considering the selection criteria which are: the artistic portfolios, prior and current accomplishments and exhibitions, the interviews, and demonstrated potential, the discussion of the jury considered all of these points, recognising the diversity of strengths of each of the artists in relation to these criteria. This was one of the most difficult selection processes to date, as the jury felt that on the strength of the works in the exhibition, all of the artists had particular merits.

Following this analysis, after much consideration the jury decided to award the prize to Agrina Vllasaliu. The jury felt that the residency in New York would enable Agrina to encounter new perspectives that would be highly beneficial at a critical juncture in her development and in relation to the subject matter that she is exploring.

We wish Agrina Vllasaliu much success in New York and for the future. We would like to congratulate all the finalists this year, and highly encourage Mimoza Sahiti and Valdrin Thaqi and all artists under 35 working in Kosovo, to continue their commitment to their practice and to seriously consider applying for the 2023 award.

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Members of the jury for the Artists of Tomorrow Award 2022
Anne Barlow, Miljana Dunđerin, Laura Raicovich, Bernhard Rüdiger, Driton Selmani.

Stacion – Center for Contemporary Art Prishtina thanks all Kosovo artists who applied for the Artists of Tomorrow Award 2022 for their continuous work and collaboration.

Stacion – Center for Contemporary Art Prishtina thanks the Jury of the Artists of Tomorrow Award 2022 for their work and collaboration.

The Artists of Tomorrow Award is organized by Stacion – Center for Contemporary Art Prishtina.

Stacion – Center for Contemporary Art Prishtina
Artists of Tomorrow Award 2022
9/11/2022 – 10/12/2022

Artists: Mimoza Sahiti, Valdrin Thaqi, Agrina Vllasaliu
Winner of the Artists of Tomorrow Award 2022: Agrina Vllasaliu

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Main supporters of the Artists of Tomorrow Award 2022 are Trust for Mutual Understanding (TMU), Municipality of Prishtina, x-print, DZG, SYRRUSH and Vidasus

Stacion – Center for Contemporary Art Prishtina
Artists of Tomorrow Awards 2022
Artists: Mimoza Sahiti, Valdrin Thaqi, Agrina Vllasaliu
Curatorial work: Albert Heta and Vala Osmani
The architecture of the exhibition: Vala Osmani
Photo documentation: Alban Nuhiu
Poster: DZG