After a rigorous selection process, in which our esteemed selection committee cast their votes for the 12 ANNA Award 2023 finalists, the jury is out.
Nada Baraka, an Egyptian artist based in Cairo, is the 2023 ANNA Award recipient.
Nada Baraka makes paintings that maintain an endless, active state of flux, swaying between abstract and surreal with her evocative application and vivid colours. Baraka seeks to generate forms in new contexts as a means to challenge and deconstruct the obvious, and tease meaning out of absurdity.
“This award validated a lot of my own struggles and hard work and quelled my doubts. My mind can’t grasp that I actually won.” – Nada Baraka
Fluctuations of emotions triggered by various experiences build up to a narrative that eludes interpretation. The core of her work is this process that seeks to narrate an experience through expressionist brushwork and surrealist methodology. A central aspect in those narratives is the concept of eruption, appearing as distorted forms, body parts, colours or layers, all bathed in a fluidity that is punctuated with striking detail.
“As a female who believes in women empowerment and who struggles daily in a country that has one of the highest rates of harassment, it is important to keep pushing and to pursue my practice loudly and. proudly. To have a voice that will continue to evolve. This will happen by experimenting more frequently, trying new mediums and exploring new topics as well.”
And in 2nd and 3rd place…
We are thrilled to announce that 2nd place goes to Alexandra-Naledi Holtman and 3rd place to Cazlynne Peffer.
The 2023 ANNA Audience Award
Every year the public is invited to vote for their favourite finalist. This year the ANNA Audience Award winner is… Buqaqawuli Nobakada.
Buqaqawuli Nobakada’s primary medium is acrylic paint on laced paper, often with the use of custom clay or gold jewellery; wherein much of the passion in her work is expressed as she celebrates border crossings that take place in the imagination, the mind as well as in real life.
