Artist Rory Pilgrim (Bristol, 1988) has been awarded the Prix de Rome Visual Arts 2019 for his 50-minute film “The Undercurrent.”
The artist received the award from the Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science Ingrid van Engelshoven in the presence of Queen Máxima and comes with a €40,000 cash prize and a work period at the American Academy in Rome.
The film transports visitors to the world of a group of young people in the American city of Boise (Idaho). A combination of beautiful cinematography, wonderful music, and meticulous editing, the film raises a number of issues. Climate change is the most important theme with other problems that the young folks are facing. Also central to the film is a house that appears to function as a sanctuary for the main characters. The concept of sanctuary is also used for protecting nature.
The film hints at the subtle connections between the earth that needs attention and protection, and the future generations needing a home for intimacy, security and their future. The result is the artist’s depiction of a disarming portrait of the insecurities, hopes and expectations of a generation. “The Undercurrent” is a film that gives young people an opportunity to address themselves directly to the viewer.
The jury was particularly impressed with Pilgrim’s engagement with this group and also valued his intention to continue the collaboration in other ways. It made the jury curious about a follow-up.
The jury of the Prix de Rome 2019 consists of Lonnie van Brummelen (visual artist, winner Prix de Rome 2005), Amira Gad (artistic director Lehmann Maupin, London), Peter Gorschlüter (director Museum Folkwang, Essen), Yasmijn Jarram (curator GEM, The Hague) and Frank Koolen (visual artist). Chair without right to vote is Valentijn Byvanck (director Marres, House of Contemporary Culture, Maastricht).
Pilgrim studied Fine Art at the Chelsea College of Art and Design, London (2005-2008) and was a participant at De Ateliers, Amsterdam (2008-2010). The artist was nominated by Anke Bangma and Louwrien Wijers.
The Prix de Rome is the oldest Dutch award for visual artists below the age of 40. Its purpose is to identify talented visual artists and to encourage them to develop and increase their visibility. It is awarded once every two years to a talented visual artist in the Netherlands.
The other nominees for this year’s Prix de Rome besides Pilgrim were Esiri Erheriene-Essi, Femke Herregraven and the artist duo Sander Breure & Witte van Hulzen. Their work, including Pilgrim’s, is being exhibited at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam through March 22, 2020.
Image:LTR: Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science Ingrid van Engelshoven, winner Prix de Rome 2019 Rory Pilgrim, Queen Máxima, director Mondriaan Fund Eelco van der Lingen. Photo: Shinji Otani
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