ROTTERDAM.- The 23rd edition of Art Rotterdam, conducted in a summery setting once again, was a resounding success. Held at the historic Van Nelle Factory, this annual art event experienced an artistic and commercial breakthrough. With 100 participating galleries, a record 17 large-scale works and installations on the outdoor grounds and 88 up-and-coming artists in Prospects, Art Rotterdam 2022 has once again established itself on the international map. As in previous years, Art Rotterdam was the heart of Rotterdam Art Week.

Frans Hof, Direct of Art Rotterdam, explains, "What was originally established by Art Rotterdam in early 2000 as a related event for international art lovers and professionals has gradually developed into a city programme for the general public. It's fantastic to see how the entire city is pulsating with art during Rotterdam Art Week!"

De NN Art Award

The NN Art Award was presented during Art Rotterdam for the sixth time. This award, valued at 10,000 euros, was presented to Vytautas Kumža from the Martin van Zomeren Gallery. The Public Award, presented for the second time this edition, was won by Inez de Brauw from the Brinkman & Bergsma Gallery, with large numbers of art enthusiasts voted online for their favourite artist. The 2022 NN Art Award jury consisted of Yuki Kho (culture journalist, VPRO), Alexandra Landré (Artistic Director, Stroom Den Haag), Charl Landvreugd (Head of Research & Curatorial Practice, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam), Erik Mattijssen (visual artist and winner of the 2021 NN Art Award) and Elisah van den Bergh (curator of the NN Art Collection). Dailah Nihot, a member of the NN Group Management Board, comments, "The goal of the NN Art Award is to offer a platform to exceptional talent. The diversity, quality and creativity of artists who are graduates of Dutch art programmes is impressive and inspiring. We are proud to support these artists."




Vytautas Kumža comments, "The award enables me to experiment more with confidence since, after all, experiments do not always turn out as expected. It gives me more opportunity and freedom to continue my work."

Prospects

The tenth edition of Prospects, the exhibition organised by the Mondriaan Fund, was the largest one yet. Apart from the Distribution Centre, the Expedition Building opposite to the centre also offered a podium for displaying the work of budding artists, varying from photography to film, paintings to installations and wall tapestries to performances. The exhibition was put together by the highly experienced guest curator Johan Gustavsson in partnership with junior curator Gabija Seiliute.

Eelco van der Lingen, Director of the Mondriaan Fund, comments, "This is the tenth Prospects, but of course, the policy to support young artists in their first steps into the professional world goes back much further. And for good reason. An artistic profession is no easy career path. Especially in today's times, we are keen to offer young artists the opportunity to arrive at new insights and a fantastic platform to display them. Prospects, organised during Art Rotterdam, is such a podium."

Rotterdam Art Week 2022

With over 80 events at around 60 locations, Rotterdam Art Week looks back on a highly successful 2022 edition. Visitors could enjoy a festive celebration of art, design and architecture throughout the city. Annual events like Art Rotterdam, Object, Haute Photography, Tec Art, The New Current, Steur and Rotterdam Photo were once again supplemented with special openings at museums and art institutions, open studios, outdoor presentations and pop-up expositions. Newcomers like Roof-A, Weisbard, De Achtertuin and Het Industriegebouw Modern (HIM) were a fabulous addition to this energetic Rotterdam Art Week.