Stacion – Center for Contemporary Art Prishtina
Announcement of the winner of the Artists of Tomorrow Award 2024
07/12/2024
Stacion – Center for Contemporary Art Prishtina is pleased to announce that the jury of the Artists of Tomorrow Award 2024, has chosen a winner for the award. Miljana Dunđerin, artist, director of the Cultural Center "Akvarijus", Dr. Vjollca Krasniqi, sociologist, associate professor at the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Pristina, Alper Turan, curator and writer, based in New York and Istanbul, Lulzim Zeqiri, artist working between Kosovo and Austria. The jury gathered in Prishtina from December 6th to December 7th to look at the work, speak with the artists, discuss, and select the winner of the Artists of Tomorrow Award 2024.
After their deliberation, the jury has issued the following statement:
Luiza Thaqi, Dion Zeqiri, and Mimoza Sahiti each brought unique visions and impressive dedication to this year’s exhibition, held at the Boxing Club in Prishtina. The jury commends all three finalists for their thought-provoking contributions, which reflect the vibrancy and depth of contemporary art in Kosovo.
We encourage all finalists to continue their remarkable journeys and to apply again in the future. The innovation and courage shown by each of them are essential to the growth of contemporary art in Kosovo and beyond.
Mimoza Sahiti’s work, "How Sad, How Lovely," captivated the jury with its strong narrative coherence and unique aesthetic language. Her practice combines political depth with emotional sensitivity, expressing ideas with confidence, clarity, and complexity. Mimoza’s femme aesthetic choices transcend conventional categorizations, presenting a feminist voice that is unapologetically genuine rather than performative. Her ability to blend vulnerability with strength creates a deeply personal yet universally resonant narrative, marking her as a powerful voice in contemporary art.
Luiza Thaqi demonstrated very remarkable growth and potential. Her work is conceptually rigorous and politically charged, addressing pressing issues such as land rights, urban policies, ecology, and gender. Luiza’s practice is intentional and collaborative, often drawing on social and positivist sciences to engage with neglected urban spaces and overlooked narratives. Her intervention in the exhibition was not dominating but collaborative, embodying a dialogue with the natural world that reflects her innovative approach. Luiza’s contribution represents an exciting and necessary perspective for the Kosovo art scene.
Dion Zeqiri’s expansive understanding of materials and his nuanced exploration of the body and its invisible structures offered a compelling and multidisciplinary approach. Drawing inspiration from anatomy, microscopic functions, and the interplay between body and mind, Dion’s practice bridges disciplines with impressive fluency. His experiments with various mediums and techniques demonstrate a depth of skill and an inquisitive experimental spirit. His work reveals the profound interconnectedness of the body and the world around it, creating a lasting impression on the jury.
A Shared Commitment to Excellence & Announcement of the Winner
The jury was unanimous in recognizing the dedication and commitment of all three finalists. Each artist demonstrated significant evolution in their practice, refining their works through thoughtful collaboration with the curatorial and production team at Stacion – Center for Contemporary Art Prishtina. Their ability to develop and finalize their projects at such a high level speaks to their immense talent and potential.
We are thrilled to announce that Mimoza Sahiti has been selected as the winner of the Artists of Tomorrow Award 2024. Her remarkable body of work, conceptual clarity, and confident articulation stood out in a truly exceptional cohort of finalists.
Acknowledgements
We extend our congratulations to Mimoza Sahiti as she embarks on a two-month residency at Residency Unlimited in New York in May/June 2025. This opportunity will enable her to immerse in a dynamic international art community, furthering her promising career. We also express our gratitude to Luiza Thaqi and Dion Zeqiri for their inspiring contributions, which have enriched this year’s award process and brought to the Kosovo audience relevant art interventions and an excellent manifestation of the bright future of the Kosovo scene.
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Stacion – Center for Contemporary Art Prishtina thanks all Kosovo artists who applied for the Artists of Tomorrow Award 2024 for their continuous work and collaboration.
Stacion – Center for Contemporary Art Prishtina thanks the Jury of the Artists of Tomorrow Award 2024 for their work and collaboration.
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Stacion – Center for Contemporary Art Prishtina
Artists of Tomorrow Award 2024
1/11/2024 - 07/12/2024
Artists: Mimoza Sahiti, Luiza Thaqi, Dion Zeqiri
Winner of the Artists of Tomorrow Award 2024: Mimoza Sahiti
Members of the jury for the Artists of Tomorrow Award 2024:
Julieta Aranda, Miljana Dunđerin, Vjollca Krasniqi, Alper Turan and Lulzim Zeqiri
Curatorial work: Albert Heta and Vala Osmani
Exhibition architecture: Vala Osmani
Project coordinator: Qendresë Deda
Exhibition installation: Skender Xhukolli, Mimoza Sahiti, Luiza Thaqi, Dion Zeqiri
Interns: Viona Reçica, Delmin Šaljunović
Photo documentation: Arben Llapashtica, Stacion – Center for Contemporary Art Prishtina
Poster: DZG
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The main sponsor of the Artists of Tomorrow Award is the Trust for Mutual Understanding (TMU).
The Artists of Tomorrow Award 2024 is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports of the Republic of Kosovo, Municipality of Prishtina, Hej Taxi, x-print and DZG.