From Saturday 15 March, visitors of Kunsthal Rotterdam can become acquainted with the work of the four nominees for the NN Art Award 2025: Diana Scherer (andriesse eyck galerie), Marcos Kueh (Mondriaan Fund’s Prospects section, courtesy Galerie Ron Mandos), Pris Roos (Mini Galerie), and Bodil Ouédraogo (Mondriaan Fund’s Prospects section). This prestigious award is annually presented to a talented artist who was trained in the Netherlands and is presenting their work during the Art Rotterdam art fair (28 - 30 March, Rotterdam Ahoy). Authenticity and innovation are the main selection criteria for this annual incentive award.
The four finalists were chosen from a selection of over forty entries by a professional jury consisting of Marianne Splint (general director of Kunsthal Rotterdam), Peim van der Sloot (artist and winner of the NN Art Award 2024), Nadine van den Bosch (co-founder and director of Young Collectors Circle, curator, and copywriter), Miluska van 't Lam (editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar NL), and Maartje de Roy van Zuydewijn (curator at NN Art Collection).
The incentive award comprises a cash prize, to be used for the further development of the winner’s artistic practice. The work of the four nominees will be presented at Kunsthal Rotterdam from 15 March up to and including 11 May. This year, the festive announcement of the winner will take place at the Kunsthal on Friday evening 28 March.
Diana Scherer (Lauingen, Germany, 1971)
Diana Scherer is a pioneer in the field of biotechnological art. With its unique combination of botany, material research, textile, and sculpture, to a certain extent her work can be interpreted as a poetic investigation into the relationship between human beings and nature, and into the human desire to dominate the natural environment.
Read the interview with Diana Scherer on the Art Rotterdam website.
Marcos Kueh (Sarawak, Malaysia, 1995)
Courage, stories, and a deep connection with his heritage are at the heart of the work of the Malaysian artist Marcos Kueh, who is partly based in the Netherlands. His woven billboards bridge the gap between age-old traditions an contemporary narratives. In 2024, Kueh received a scholarship for the Mondriaan Fund, which allowed him the freedom to further develop his work and technical skills.
Pris Roos (Rhenen, 1984)
Pris Roos is an artist, teacher, curator, researcher, and storyteller. She more or less grew up in the toko (Indonesian grocery) of her family, who migrated from Indonesia. To Roos the toko symbolises a space of togetherness, colours, smells, food, stories, and a mix of people from various backgrounds. Subjects like identity, migration, and memory play an important role in her work.
Read the interview with Pris Roos on the Art Rotterdam website.
Bodil Ouédraogo (Amsterdam, 1995)
In her work, Bodil Ouédraogo searches for visual representations that do justice to every aspect of (her own) identity, of the Self. How can you align yourself with the people who went before you? How can you arrive at a visual representation that is both layered an transparent? She finds answers to these questions in a ‘materialised’ connection with her ancestors.
About Nationale-Nederlanden
As a supporter of all art explorers, Nationale-Nederlanden (part of NN Group) is dedicated to working with its partners with the aim of making a wider audience enthusiastic about art and culture, thereby contributing to the mental wellbeing of all people. Nationale-Nederlanden also offers artists a platform to inspire others. Nationale-Nederlanden has a long history of cultural sponsorship, specifically focusing on fine art, museums, and music. The presentation of the NN Art Award is part of the main partnership between NN and Kunsthal Rotterdam.
Over Art Rotterdam
Art Rotterdam is the most renowned contemporary art fair in the Netherlands. Art Rotterdam annually provides a platform for the latest developments in the visual arts. A sharp focus on young art, the diversity of the various sections, its connection to the city of Rotterdam, and a fascinating venue give Art Rotterdam a unique appeal. For an increasing number of art lovers, Art Rotterdam serves as an attractive alternative within the international field of art fairs. From Friday 28 up to and including Sunday 30 March, Art Rotterdam will be celebrating its 26th edition in a brand-new venue: Rotterdam Ahoy!
