Sandra Mujinga is the Winner of the Preis der Nationalgalerie 2021

On the evening of October 7, 2021, Sandra Mujinga was announced as the winner of the Preis der Nationalgalerie 2021. With the award, the artist will receive a large solo exhibition in the Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum für Gegenwart – Berlin next year with accompanying publication.

The jury, consisting of Emre Baykal, chief curator, Arter, Istanbul; Sven Beckstette, curator, Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum für Gegenwart – Berlin; Gabriele Knapstein, director, Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum für Gegenwart – Berlin; Emma Lavigne, President, Palais de Tokyo, Paris and Yesomi Umolu, Director, Curatorial Affairs and Public Practice, Serpentine Galleries, London, after intensive discussions, chose Sandra Mujinga (born 1989 in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo) as the award winner.

“The jury decided to award the Preis der Nationalgalerie to Sandra Mujinga this year. Sandra Mujinga works with various artistic media. Sculptures are the focus of their presentation at Hamburger Bahnhof. On the one hand, they show a high level of sensitivity for the materials used. On the other hand, in the works shown, Mujinga succeeds in uniting contradicting experiences: forms that are disappearing; Figures that appear ghostly and threatening, but also offer their protection; Immobility that appears dynamic; Seclusion, which at the same time seems to be in the process of becoming. This creates an openness that creates space for one’s own imagination. Thematically, numerous points of contact can be found that locate Mujinga’s work in the here and now. Her sculptures give the impression that they come from a bygone future. They remind us that we have to be considerate of other living beings in order to survive and that we can learn strategies from them to adapt to a constantly changing environment,” said the jury on their unanimous result.

In addition to Sandra Mujinga, Calla Henkel & Max Pitegoff, Sung Tieu and Lamin Fofana were nominated for the National Gallery Prize 2021. The artists will be showing their works in a joint exhibition at the Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum für Gegenwart – Berlin until February 27, 2022.

During this period, visitors have the opportunity to vote for their favorites at www.tip-berlin.de. At the end of the shortlist exhibition, the votes will be evaluated and the winner of the audience award will be announced.