Guggenheim Reveals Winner of New Biennial Artist Award
The Guggenheim Museum in New York has introduced a new biennial award, the Jack Galef Visual Arts Award. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding achievement in visual art and will offer the recipient a substantial $50,000 unrestricted grant. The award aims to spotlight either emerging artists showing remarkable talent or established artists who have not yet received adequate recognition.
About the Inaugural Winner
The first recipient of this award is Catherine Telford Keogh, a Canadian-born artist currently based in New York. Born in Toronto in 1986, Keogh specializes in sculpture and installation art, primarily using found materials. Her artistic practice focuses on the transformation of matter and the influence of infrastructure on contemporary life.
Keogh’s Artistic Background
- Keogh has conducted solo exhibitions at Helena Anrather in New York and Erin Stump Projects in Toronto.
- She is recognized as a Socrates Fellow at Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City.
- Keogh has been longlisted for the esteemed Canadian Sobey Art Award.
In a recent statement, she expressed her gratitude for the award, noting it would enhance collaborations and support the deep research that is integral to her practice.
Award Details and Future Plans
According to the Guggenheim, the award is made possible through a generous gift from the Jack Galef Estate. Galef was well-known in New York as both a teacher and mentor to many emerging artists. The award is a tribute to his legacy and commitment to nurturing talent within the arts community.
Support for Contemporary Art
Mariët Westermann, director and CEO of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation, emphasized the award’s role in fostering artistic innovation. She stated that the prize is designed to invest in artists who are pushing the boundaries of visual art.
Other Guggenheim Awards
The Jack Galef Visual Arts Award is part of a broader initiative by the Guggenheim, which includes various other prizes. Notably, the Guggenheim LG Award offers $100,000 for artists working with technology, with the latest recipient being Korean artist Ayoung Kim as of February 2025. Additionally, the museum previously oversaw the Hugo Boss Prize, another prestigious award of $100,000, which was discontinued in 2022.
The Jack Galef Visual Arts Award will be presented every two years, with the next award set to be given in 2025. This new initiative is expected to significantly impact the contemporary arts landscape, supporting talented artists and fostering innovation.
