Maurizio Cattelan has been awarded the 2026 Preis der Nationalgalerie, administered by Berlin’s Nationalgalerie. The prize, given every two years to an influential contemporary artist, includes a solo exhibition at the Neue Nationalgalerie. Cattelan was selected by a jury of international directors including Emma Lavigne, Sam Keller, and Klaus Biesenbach. His exhibition will open in September 2026 during Berlin Art Week, curated by Biesenbach and Lisa Botti. Cattelan previously co-curated the 4th Berlin Biennale in 2006.
The award matters because Cattelan is one of the most provocative and widely recognized contemporary artists, known for works like "Comedian" (the duct-taped banana), "America" (the golden toilet), and "La Nona Ora." His practice consistently challenges institutional authority, morality, and social norms. The jury noted that his ironic questioning of power and truth carries particular urgency in today’s polarized political climate. The prize also highlights the Nationalgalerie’s commitment to showcasing artists who provoke critical reflection on memory, institutions, and society.