Joan Jonas wins the Nam June Paik Prize

The Nam June Paik Art Center in Korea has announced Joan Jonas as the recipient of its flagship Nam June Paik Prize. Jonas, who has been a legendary figure in the art world since the late 1960s, is acknowledged for her pioneering work in video and performance art. She has been active throughout her career in a variety of other disciplines, including conceptual art, theater and other modalities of visual media.

Jonas received early recognition for her innovative approach to the integration of nascent video technologies into her art, such as portable video cameras and television monitors, creating pieces which raised important questions about the quality and content of our sensorial perceptions at the dawning of the video age. She has touched upon crucial issues arising from the dichotomies between civilization and nature and the human and non-human, establishing a discursive field where people can engage in critical reflection on the role of anthropocentrism.

The Nam June Paik Art Center inaugurated the Nam June Paik Prize in 2009 with the support of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government, awarding it on a biannual basis to an artist whose artistic practice “promotes mutual understanding and contributes to world peace.” Since 2021, the criteria used in the selection process have been revised, augmenting the already established requirements of creativity, experimentation and innovation. Past recipients of this award have included Doug Aitken, Ceal Floyer, Bruno Latour, Haroon Mirza and Trevor Paglen.

The award consists of a KRW 50,000,000 (USD $35,900) cash prize. The award also includes the organization of a solo museum exhibition. This will be Jonas' first exhibition in Korea.

For more information about this and other events organized by the Nam June Paik Art Center, visit their site.