Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama wins Dia Art Foundation's inaugural Sam Gilliam Award
The inaugural Sam Gilliam Award - established in 2023 by Dia Art Foundation and the Sam Gilliam Foundation - comes with a $75,000 prize and the presentation of a public program at a Dia location
Dia Art Foundation has announced Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama as the recipient of the inaugural Sam Gilliam Award, an art award - in honour of Sam Gilliam, an American abstract painter, sculptor, and arts educator - which includes a $75,000 prize and the presentation of a public program at a Dia location in fall 2024.
According to the announcement, the award was established last year in conjunction with the Sam Gilliam Foundation and Annie Gawlak, president of the foundation and Gilliam’s widow.
“Mahama was chosen from a long list of artists nominated by a group of international curators and museum directors,” the announcement stated.
“He was selected in response to his continuous growth as an artist, in terms of the complexity, scale, and responsiveness to site in his multifaceted material practice, as well the meaningful impact of his ambitious work as a community-oriented practitioner.”
Annie Gawlak, the president of Sam Gilliam Foundation said, “Sam’s dedication to nurturing emerging artists was pivotal to his ethos, and perpetuating his legacy by championing rising talents is an honour we cherish. Dia’s commitment to advancing Sam’s vision makes them an ideal partner.”
Sharing the news, Ibrahim Mahama wrote, “Exciting news. Feeling extremely grateful and honored to be receiving the inaugural Sam Gilliam Prize from the Dia Art Foundation and Sam Gilliam Foundation.”
