The Baloise Art Prize, worth $36,800, has been awarded to artists Rhea Dillon and Joyce Joumaa at Art Basel. Dillon's "Leaning Figures" sculptures, made from soap and molasses, were presented by London's Soft Opening gallery. Joumaa's installation "Periodic Sights," shown by Montreal's Eli Kerr Gallery, features photographs of Tripoli and Beirut commenting on energy crises in Lebanon. The prize is given annually to two artists in the fair's Statements sector.
The Baloise Art Prize is significant because it often recognizes emerging artists on the verge of major breakthroughs, with past winners including Tino Sehgal, Simon Denny, Tourmaline, and Haegue Yang. This year's jury comprised prominent museum directors and a major collector, underscoring the prize's role in spotlighting rising talent within the global art market. The award provides both financial support and high-profile exposure at one of the world's leading art fairs.