Established in 1988 by the Japan Art Association and now in its 34th year, the Praemium Imperiale is an authoritative award in the art world, which is given in five disciplines: painting, sculpture, architecture, music and theatre/cinema. Artists are honoured for their achievements, for their artistic influence on an international level and for their contribution to the world community through their work.
To Fix the Image in Memory I-XI by Vija Celmins – From 1977-1982 – Photo © Haruka Sakaguchi
Announced on 12 September simultaneously in Rome, London, Paris, Berlin, New York and Tokyo, the 2023 winners are Vija Celmins (Riga, 1938) for painting, Olafur Eliasson, (Copenhagen, 1967) for sculpture, Diédébo Francis Kéré (Gando, 1965) for architecture, Wynton Marsalis (New Orleans, 1961) for music and Robert Wilson (Waco, 1941) for theatre/cinema. This year’s award went to artists who have shown in their work a marked sensitivity to the natural world and environmental issues, combining artistic research and attention to contemporary social emergencies.
Shadows travelling on the sea of the day by Olafur Eliasson – Northern Heritage sites, Doha, Qatar, 2022 – Photo © Iwan Baan
The artists are recognized and awarded for their achievements, for the impact they have had internationally on the arts, and for their role in enriching the global community. Each laureate receives an honorarium of 15 million yen and a testimonial letter. A medal will be presented by Prince Hitachi, honorary patron of the Japan Art Association, in the Awards Ceremony held in Tokyo on October 18, 2023.
Lycée Schorge Secondary School by Diédébo Francis Kéré – Koudougou, Burkina Faso, 2016 – Photo © courtesy of Diédébo Francis Kéré
The Praemium Imperiale 2023 Scholarship for Young Artists was awarded to Rural Studio (USA) and Harlem School of the Arts (USA). At the press conference, each recipient will receive a grant of 2.5 million yen to support their efforts for young artists.
Einstein on the Beach by Robert Wilson – Montpellier, France, 2012 – Photo © Lucie Jansch
The related events for your coverage are: on October 17, at 13:30 there will be a joint press conference of the laureates and the International Advisors, followed by individual press meetings of each laureate. On October 18, the Awards Ceremony will be held at Meiji Kinenkan. On October 19, at 16:00 there will be a commemorative architecture lecture by Diébédo Francis Kéré.
