LONDON.- The Whitechapel Gallery, Collezione Maramotti and Max Mara announced the six shortlisted artists for the seventh edition of the Max Mara Art Prize for Women: Helen Cammock (b. 1970), Céline Condorelli (b. 1974), Eloise Hawser (b. 1985), Athena Papadopoulos (b. 1988), Lis Rhodes (b. 1942) and Mandy El-Sayegh (b. 1985). This weekend the artists travelled to Collezione Maramotti in Reggio Emilia, Italy, for the announcement as well as to celebrate the opening of the major art work Mamma Mia!, by the sixth winner of the prize, Emma Hart. Mamma Mia! tours from the Whitechapel Gallery where it was unveiled this summer.

Featuring artists that work across a range of mediums, the shortlisted artists were selected by a judging panel chaired by Iwona Blazwick OBE, Director of the Whitechapel Gallery, and joined by gallerist Vanessa Carlos, Carlos/Ishikawa, London; artist and previous recipient of the prize Laure Prouvost; collector Marcelle Joseph and art critic Rachel Spence.

The Max Mara Art Prize for Women was established by the Whitechapel Gallery in collaboration with the Max Mara Fashion Group in 2005. Its aim is to promote and support female artists based in the UK, enabling artists to develop their potential. The winning artist, announced in early 2018, is awarded a bespoke six-month artist residency in locations around Italy after presenting the judges with a proposal for a new body of work. During the residency, which is organised by Collezione Maramotti in collaboration with Max Mara and the Whitechapel Gallery, the artist has the opportunity to realise an ambitious new project which is presented in major solo exhibitions at the Whitechapel Gallery in London and Collezione Maramotti in Reggio Emilia, Italy.

On behalf of the judging panel, Iwona Blazwick, OBE, Director of the Whitechapel Gallery and chair of the Max Mara Art Prize for Women jury, said: ‘For many years women artists had worked under the radar. But due to this great prize artists of different generations have been given the opportunity to spend formative months exploring Italy; and the resources to create a major new commission that situates them on the world stage. The jury has nominated six outstanding artists for the prize this year – we look forward to seeing their proposals.’