HOME | APPLY | PAST WINNERS | ABOUT | IN THE PRESS | CONTACT US | FAQ
ABOUT CHRISTO AND JEANNE-CLAUDE
Christo and Jeanne-Claude made monumental works on a huge scale for over half a century, including the wrapping of The Reichstag in Berlin and The Gates in Central Park, New York. Their drawings are held by most major museums, galleries, and collections around the world, including Guggenheim New York, Tate London, and the Centre Pompidou Paris. The work is also held by many major corporate collections including Deutsche Bank, Barclays Capital, Daimler, and Toyota.
ABOUT THE AWARD
The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award is the gold standard for awards that promote artists at the beginning of their careers; it offers them an opportunity to receive a new commission and be professionally supported in the realisation of that work to the point of public exhibition.
As awards go, it is a unique proposition: student or graduate, regardless of age or background, applicants are invited to propose an artwork that can be shown publicly at New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Art and Um El Emarat park Abu Dhabi.
From application, our artists are drawn into a professional experience.
Five artists are shortlisted and invited to present their proposal in person to the selection
committee.
Based on those presentations, the committee decide to whom they will give the $10,000 award.
For the winners, something unique then kicks into gear: they are introduced to a highly skilled team at the NYUAD Art Gallery and can produce their proposed artwork bolstered by a stable of professional expertise. Respected curators, a museum registrar, a preparator and a team of public relations experts work with them, visiting them in the studio and working through potential challenges throughout the six to eight month production period.
Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s artwork is enduring. It transcends people, borders, nations, time and with the realisation of L’Arc de Triomphe Wrapped, Paris 1961-2021 it transcended their lifetimes. It might be said that Christo’s legacy is one of tenacity: in the pursuit of his vision, he never ever gave up – often over the course of many years and in the face of profound opposition. We were honoured that he attended every unveiling of winning work until his passing in 2020.