Connecting people through art 

We are delighted to announce that artist Ekin Kee Charles (1996, Malaysia) is the winner of the Han Nefkens Foundation - Loop Barcelona Video Art Production Grant 2022, in collaboration with the Fundació Joan Miró; MoCA TAIPEI; ILHAM, Kuala Lumpur; Center d'Art Contemporain, Genève; Art Hub Copenhagen and Inside-Out Art Museum, Beijing.

Ekin Kee Charles was selected by a jury composed by the directors and curators of each partner institution, in meetings moderated by Han Nefkens, Founder of the Han Nefkens Foundation.


The Selection Committee stated: "We were delighted to select Ekin Kee Charles. Her profound video works explore in an unassuming way the societal pressures that women face every day. We all agreed that her work speaks clearly of a specific place and moment, while at the same time transcending - by virtue of its deep connection with the local - any particular culture, region or country. Her works combine this universality with a sensitive and poetic approach, offering a space for critical contemplation. We look forward to following her next steps."

"I was touched by the sensitivity of Ekin's work. It's clear that what she shows us is close to her heart. I am therefore delighted that, together with the six art institutions that participate in this grant, we will work with this young and promising artist from the periphery who is firmly on her way to develop her unique voice."- Han Nefkens

"Being born and brought up in the inland area of Sabah has been the biggest blessing in my life. No matter where I am in life I will always be the village girl that I am. Growing up, I have always wanted to leave my village but now I want nothing more than to go back. The personality, the environment, the community has made such an impact on me and I only realised that when I left. The land that has shaped me has so much character and stories and I wish to share the beauty that I see with others. This opportunity given by The Han Nefkens Foundation to showcase the beauty that I see is a big milestone. It means that more people from different dynamics will be able to appreciate the life that is rarely shined upon and I am very thankful and honoured. I want more people to appreciate where they come from, similar to how I appreciate my community and tradition through the works that I make." – Ekin Kee Charles

Charles will receive $15.000 funding for the production of a new work which will be presented first at the Fundació Joan Miró, during LOOP Barcelona Festival in 2024, and at a later stage, the new production will be presented also at MoCA Taipei; ILHAM, Kuala Lumpur, Centre d'Art Contemporain, Genève; Art Hub Copenhagen and Inside Out Art Museum, Beijing.

In order to consolidate the candidates' career, the Grant appraises emerging promising artists, who are 40 years old or less, living in Asia. These artists have established a solid trajectory, but haven't yet had the opportunity to exhibit their work extensively. The production grant should serve as an important source of support and boost in the artist's career.

The Jury for the 2022 edition of the Grant was chaired by Han Nefkens and consisted of Emilio Alvarez, Founder LOOP Barcelona; Marko Daniel, Director Fundació Joan Miró, Barcelona; Carol Yinghua Lu, Director Inside-Out Art Museum, Beijing; Hua-Tzu Chan – Deputy Supervisor of Research Department, MoCA TAIPEI; Jacob Fabricius, Director, Art Hub Copenhagen; Rahel Joseph, Director, ILHAM, Kuala Lumpur and Andrea Bellini, Director, Centre d'Art Contemporain, Genève. The judging took place in the presence of: Hilde Teerlinck, General Director of the Han Nefkens Foundation and Alessandra Biscaro, Coordinator of the Han Nefkens Foundation.

The artists were scouted by internationally recognized art critics and curators (nominated by each participating institution). The scouts for 2022 were Boliang Shen; Christina Li; Hyo Gyoung Jeon; Yee I-Lann; James Luigi Tana; Sau Bin Yap; Seolhui Lee; Sherith Arasakulasuriya; Shuang Li; Vanini Belarmino; Xue Tan.