Prestigious Škoda Prize announces its 3rd Edition

v    Announcement of Distinguished Jury for 2013

v    Top 20 Exhibition to showcase the most exciting developments in Indian contemporary art

v    Second edition of The Skoda Prize Breakthrough Artist Award presented by Art India

24^th July 2011, Mumbai: This week The Škoda Prize, one of the most influential platforms for Indian contemporary art, announced its jury for the third edition of the prize; the distinguished jury panel will include Anupam Poddar, co-founder of the pioneering Devi Art Foundation, and leading Indian artist Sheela Gowda. The jury will be chaired by eminent Indian art historian and critic Geeta Kapur. Launched in 2009 by Škoda Auto India and 70EMG, The ŠKODA Prize is supported by museums and cultural institutions of international repute.

The Škoda Prize offers an unparalleled opportunity for mid-career artists across India to showcase their work amongst the country’s leading artists, to a discerning art audience both within India and internationally. The hugely successful top 20 exhibition, which receives thousands of visitors every year, showcases the most exciting trends in contemporary art practices in India and is representative of a diverse spectrum of established and emerging artists from across the country. The top 20 exhibition which is curated by Girish Shahane and the esteemed jury panel will open alongside the India Art Fair in New Delhi in February 2013. The top 20 longlisted artists also get an opportunity to be represented in the annual ŠKODA Prize book.

In 2011, The Škoda Prize platform was further extended to include a ‘Breakthrough Artist Award’ to showcase emerging artists who are at the beginning of their careers and help them gain exposure to a wider audience. Madhuban Mitra and Manas Bhattacharya won the first Breakthrough Artist award and received a cash prize of INR 50,000. In 2012, this award will be presented in association with Art India magazine and the prize will include a cash prize of two lakh rupees as well as a trophy.

“We’re delighted to have onboard such a distinguished jury. We aim to build on the reputation the award has established as a benchmark of artistic quality, while also attracting new voices through the Breakthrough Artist Award”. Girish Shahane, Director of Art, The Škoda Prize.
About the Skoda Prize
The Škoda Prize recognizes cutting-edge work demonstrating vision, innovation and a mature understanding of material and form. Nominees need to be below the age of 45 and should have had a solo show in the country over the last 12 months; The winner takes away the prestigious ‘The ŠKODA Prize Winner’ title and also receives prize money of INR 10,00,000. Past Škoda Prize winners include Mithu Sen and Navin Thomas. The prize has been presented by well-known names in the international art scene such as artists Marc Quinn and Aneesh Kapoor. The jury members of The ŠKODA Prize in the past have included collector Mrs. Kiran Nadar, Mrs. Tasneem Mehta, (Managing Trustee and Honorary Director, Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum), artist Vivan Sundaram, Pooja Sood, (Director of Khoj), Heike Munder (Director of the Migros Museum für gegenwartskunst, Zürich) who was also one the jury members for the 2012 Turner Prize.