The sixth edition of thePrix Canson® , which recognizes achievements of international artists who work with paper as their principal medium, was awarded to Nigerian artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby.

Crosby was born in Enugu, Nigeria, in 1983, and currently lives and works in L.A. Her work explores themes of memory, transcultural identity, and personal narrativizing. Always working on paper, she combines drawing, painting, collage, and image-transfers from personal and found photographs.

As winner of thePrix Canson®, Crosby will receive a solo show show and €10,000 (about $11,300) worth of Canson paper, and the Fonds Canson will purchase one of her pieces. In addition, she will take part in a residency program at the home of the late Brazilian artist Tunga, the former President of the Jury, who died earlier this month.

The other finalists for this year’s prize were Ruby Onyinyechi Amanze (Nigeria), Bethany Collins (U.S.), David Shrigley (U.K.), and Lucy Skaer (U.K.).

Njideka Akunyili Crosby was chosen for the “sophistication of her work, her idea of merging the personal narrative with complex cultural issues, and her skill and mastery,” said Brett Littman, the Director of the Drawing Center and a member of the award’s jury. “Most importantly, she was chosen for her dedication to paper, something she works on constantly, without any fail.”

In addition to Brett Littman, the director of the Drawing Center in New York, this year’s jury was comprised of Ian Alteveer, associate curator of modern and contemporary art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art; Bice Curiger, the artistic director of the Fondation Vincent van Gogh in Arles; Amanda Hunt, assistant curator at the Studio Museum in Harlem; Helen Molesworth, the chief curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles; Frédéric Paul, curator at the Centre Pompidou; Katherine Stout, curator and head of program at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London; and Michael Woolworth, an editor and print master in Paris.

Njideka Akunyili Crosby’s work and that of all the finalist (ruby onyinyechi amanze, Bethany Collins, David Shrigley, and Lucy Skaer) is on view at The Drawing Center through July 1.

For this special short exhibition the Drawing Center is open to the public every day including Mondays and Tuesday, 12-6pm | 12-8pm on Thursday | Free admission.

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Read here an the interview ‘Infinite possibilities’ – Athi Mongezeleli Joja in conversation with Njideka Akunyili from the C& Archive.