Carnegie Museum of Art has announced that New York-based artist Nicole Eisenman is the recipient of the prestigious Carnegie Prize of the 2013 Carnegie International.
South African photographer Zanele Muholi was awarded the Fine Prize, which recognizes an emerging International artist.
The Carnegie Prize was established for the first International in 1896 and comprises a $10,000 award and the Medal of Honor, designed by Tiffany & Co. and cast by J.E. Caldwell & Co.
The $10,000 Fine Prize was created in 2008 as part of a $5 million gift made by The Fine Foundation in support of the International.
"Nicole Eisenman's installation of paintings and sculpture in the Carnegie International is wonderfully accomplished. The individual works are compelling, and the ways in which she has handled the Hall of Sculpture Balcony's unusual space are ingenious," said Museum of Art director Lynn Zelevansky.
The works are simultaneously fanciful and foreboding, blending aspects of visual history with contemporary aesthetics.
Ms. Muholi exhibits 48 portraits from her "Faces and Phases" project, which she began in 2006 to give visibility to the various faces of black LGBTI communities throughout the world. Her goal is 500 portraits. Ms. Zelevansky described them as "moving and brave."
Ms. Muholi will give a free public talk at 6:30 p.m. today in the Carnegie Lecture Hall (enter through the door on the side of the Carnegie Museums facing Phipps Conservatory). Joining her will be Lerato Dumse, one of the portrait sitters, and Carnegie Mellon University School of Art professor Ayanah Moor.
The juror panel that selected the prizes was composed of Ms. Zelevansky; Lynne Cooke and Mark Francis, co-curators of the 1991 Carnegie International; Madeleine Grynsztejn, curator of the 1999 Carnegie International; Laura Hoptman, curator of the 2004 Carnegie International; Douglas Fogle, curator of "Life on Mars," the 2008 Carnegie International; and museum board members Alice Snyder and Douglas (Woody) Ostrow.
The exhibition continues through March 16, 2014.
First Published: October 8, 2013, 12:00 a.m.
Updated: October 8, 2013, 12:18 a.m.
