“The Pollock Prize for Creativity honours artists who make a difference in how we understand our world, our communities, and ourselves,” said Ronald D. Spencer, Chairman and CEO of Pollock-Krasner Foundation. “Shahzia Sikander creates thought-provoking works that probe questions about representation, power, and justice, and with this Prize we recognize her continuing focus on issues that resonate throughout history.”
“Representation of women as active agents in traditionally patriarchal spaces, and especially spaces that are centered on delivering justice and adjudicating power, is a much-needed restorative in civic life,” said Shahzia Sikander. “Havah…to breathe, air, life both raises the question of why only men have been depicted as lawgivers and enables us to imagine women not simply as Lady Justice with her scales, but as active thinkers and participants in this sphere. To be recognized by the Pollock-Krasner Foundation for my body of work—and to receive their support for Havah…to breathe, air, life—is an honour.”
Shahzia Sikander: Havah….to breathe, air, life will be on view from January 17 through June 4, 2023 in Madison Square Park and atop the New York State Appellate Division Courthouse rooftop before travelling to Houston, Texas.
The Pollock-Krasner Foundation was established in 1985 through the generosity of Lee Krasner to provide grants to artists that allow them to create new work. The Pollock Prize for Creativity was launched in 2016 and previous winners include Beili Liu, Gideon Mendel, Amy Sherald, and Todd Williamson. The Foundation also honors artists with the Lee Krasner Award, recognizing a lifetime of distinguished artistic achievement. Recipients of the Lee Krasner Award have included Mel Chin, Chris Drury, Alfred Leslie, Don Nice, Morgan O’Hara, and Masami Teraoka. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded $85 million to nearly 5,000 grantees in 79 countries. These grants can be used by artists to create new work and prepare exhibitions.