Karachi Biennale Trust acknowledged the most evocative exhibits in KB17 by awarding two art prizes: the KB17 Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation Juried Prize and the KB17 Shahneela and Farhan Faruqi Popular Choice Art Prize.
These prizes reflected the Trust’s sustained commitment to recognizing the effort and impact of participating artists’ work as it engaged with conversations around art, cities, and the act of witnessing.
KB17 Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation Juried Prize
The KB17 Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation Juried Prize, awarded during our Opening Ceremony on October 21, 2017, included a cash purse and a bespoke trophy.
Ali Kazim, the recipient of the prize, is a Lahore based artist who received his BFA from the National School of Arts, Lahore in 2002 and an MFA from the Slade School of Fine Art, London in 2011. His untitled installation comprised of snakelike forms constructed with human hair. Hair was employed as a medium as it was considered a potent, multilayered tool to comprehend both human identity and physicality.
The prize jury comprised of three notable individuals – renowned international art critic: Ingo Arend (Germany), esteemed art historian: Savita Apte (Singapore) and one of Pakistan’s leading contemporary art collectors: Khurram Kasim (Karachi).
Karachi-based, award-winning artist, Faheem Rao, was commissioned to design the trophy. His design took inspiration from Karachi’s resilience through repeated struggles and cycles of renewed optimism.
KB17 Shahneela and Farhan Faruqui Popular Choice Art Prize
The KB17 Shahneela and Farhan Faruqui Popular Choice Art Prize provided viewers with an opportunity to intimately engage with and respond to art. The winning artist was recognized during our Closing Ceremony on November 5, 2017. The artist was awarded a cash purse and a bespoke trophy.
The audience had the chance to cast their votes at KB17’s various venues. Artist, Shahzia Sikander was declared the winner.
Shahzia Sikander received her BFA from the National College of Arts, Lahore in 1991 and her MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1995. Her video installation ‘Disruption as Rapture’ is informed by the 18th-century epic poem, ‘Gulshan-i-Ishq’ (Garden of Love) and navigates yearning, separation and connection.
Pakistan’s leading ceramist, Shazia Zuberi, was commissioned to design the trophy. Her design hearkens back to the rich clay traditions of the ancient Indus Valley Civilizations and their cultural legacies at Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa.
