The EFG Latin America Art Award, in partnership with ArtNexus, has named Brazilian artist Cristiano Lenhardt as the nominated artist at SP-Arte 2026. Lenhardt, represented by Fortes D'Aloia & Gabriel, was selected for his work *Lieoe* (2025), a mixed-media piece combining ceramic and embroidery on cotton that responds to the devastating floods in Rio Grande do Sul in May 2024. The selection was made with input from Fernando Oliva, curator of MASP, and Celia Sredni de Birbragher, director and editor of ArtNexus.
The award, now in its sixteenth year, aims to support Latin American contemporary artists and increase visibility for regional art fairs among international collectors. Lenhardt's nomination highlights how personal and environmental trauma can be transformed into visual art, while the award's structure—spanning fairs from São Paulo to Miami—underscores the growing integration of Latin American art into the global market. The winning artist will be announced at Pinta Miami during Art Basel Week, and the acquired work will join EFG Capital's permanent collection.