Awardees
2023
Emilia Škarnulyté
Emilia Škarnulyté, Aldona, 2013, videostill. © Emilia Škarnulyté
Winner
Emilia Škarnulyté (LTU, b. 1987)
Nominees
Henni Alftan (FIN)
Tuomas A. Laitinen (FIN)
Lap-See Lam (SWE)
Camille Norment (NOR)
Emilia Škarnulyté (LTU)
Exhibition
Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Helsinki.
Art expert
Anne Barlow (UK)
2021
Eija-Liisa Ahtila
Eija-Liisa Ahtila, The House, 2002, 3-channel projected installation. © Eija-Liisa Ahtila
Winner
Eija-Liisa Ahtila (FIN, b. 1959)
Nominees
Eija-Liisa Ahtila (FIN)
Anne-Karin Furunes (NOR)
Jesper Just (DEN)
Viggo Wallensköld (FIN)
Magnus Wallin (SWE)
Exhibition
Hämeenlinna Art Museum.
Art expert
Hans Ulrich Obrist (CH)
2019
Ragnar Kjartansson
Ragnar Kjartansson, The Visitors, 2012, 9-channel video projection. © Ragnar Kjartansson
Winner
Ragnar Kjartansson (ISL, b. 1976)
Nominees
Ragnar Kjartansson (ISL)
Petri Ala-Maunus (FIN)
Miriam Bäckström (SWE)
Aurora Reinhard (FIN)
Egill Sæbjörnsson (ISL)
Exhibition
Amos Rex, Helsinki and Sven Harrys Konstmuseum, Stockholm
Art expert
Roland Wetzel (CH)
2017
Kari Vehosalo
Kari Vehosalo, Figure on a Chair, 2017, oil on canvas. Niemistö Collection, Hämeenlinna Art Museum. Photo: Reima Määttänen, Hämeenlinna Art Museum.
Winner
Kari Vehosalo (FIN, b. 1982)
Nominees
Pekka ja Teija Isorättyä (FIN)
Maija Blåfield (FIN)
Perttu Saksa (FIN)
Kari Vehosalo (FIN)
Camilla Vuorenmaa (FIN)
Exhibition
Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Helsinki.
Art expert
Beatrix Ruf (NL)
2015
Mika Taanila
Mika Taanila, The Most Electrified Town in Finland, 2012, three channel video installation, digital files, 15’, colour, 300 x 1600 cm. Photo: Ars Fennica.
Winner
Mika Taanila (FIN, b. 1965)
Nominees
Laura Könönen (FIN)
Outi Pieski (FIN)
Hans Rosenström (FIN)
Mika Taanila (FIN)
Pink Twins (FIN)
Exhibition
Hämeenlinna Art Museum.
Art expert
Charles Esche (UK)
2014
Tellervo Kalleinen &
Oliver Kochta-Kalleinen
Oliver Kochta-Kalleinen
Tellervo Kalleinen & Oliver Kochta-Kalleinen, The Complaints Choir, 2006, community art project. Photo: Ars Fennica.
Winner
Tellervo Kalleinen & Oliver Kochta-Kalleinen (FIN, b. 1975 ja 1971)
Nominees
IC-98 (Patrik Söderlund & Visa Suonpää, FIN)
Riitta Ikonen (FIN)
Tellervo Kalleinen & Oliver Kochta-Kalleinen (FIN)
Leena Nio (FIN)
Pauliina Turakka Purhonen (FIN)
Exhibition
Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Helsinki.
Art expert
Vasif Kortun (TR)
2013
Jeppe Hein
Jeppe Hein, Smoking Bench, 2002, fog machine, stainless steel, technical apparatus, pillow, mirror. Photo: Ars Fennica / Amos Anderson Art Museum.
Winner
Jeppe Hein (DEN, b. 1974)
Nominees
Gabríela Friðriksdóttir (ISL)
Jeppe Hein (DEN)
Fredrik Raddum (NOR)
Pilvi Takala (FIN)
Gunnel Wåhlstrand (SWE)
Exhibition
Amos Anderson Art Museum, Helsinki.
Art expert
Akiko Miki (JP)
Publication: ISBN 978-952-68054-0-5
2011
Anssi Kasitonni
Anssi Kasitonni, Diesel Smoke, Dangerous Curves, 2009, cardboard, glitterplastic, 108 x 42 x 38 cm. Photo: Ars Fennica.
Winner
Anssi Kasitonni (FIN, b. 1978)
Nominees
Adel Abidin (FIN/IRQ)
Terike Haapoja (FIN)
Hannaleena Heiska (FIN)
Anssi Kasitonni (FIN)
Pekka Luukkola (FIN)
Exhibition
Amos Anderson Art Museum, Helsinki.
Art expert
Branislava Andjelkovic (RS)
Publication: ISBN 978-951-98749-8-2
2010
Charles Sandison
Charles Sandison, Language as a Mirror of the World, 2010. Photo: Thomas Whitehouse.
Winner
Charles Sandison (FIN/UK, b. 1969)
Nominees
Markus Konttinen (FIN)
Jorma Puranen (FIN)
Jaakko Niemelä (FIN)
Anne Koskinen (FIN)
Charles Sandison (FIN/UK)
Exhibitions
Hämeenlinna Art Museum, Finland and Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Helsinki.
Art expert
David Elliott (UK)
Publication: ISBN 978-951-98749-7-5
2009
Jussi Kivi
Jussi Kivi, Cave 1245 (Theatre), 2006, photograph. © Jussi Kivi.
Winner
Jussi Kivi (FIN, b. 1959)
Nominees
Matti Kalkamo (FIN)
Mika Karhu (FIN)
Jussi Kivi (FIN)
Jyrki Riekki (FIN)
Petri Yrjölä (FIN)
Exhibitions
Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Helsinki and Kuntsi Museum of Modern Art, Vaasa, Finland
Art expert
Vicente Todolí (ES)
2008
Mark Raidpere
Mark Raidpere, 10 Men, 2003, still from video. © Mark Raidpere.
Winner
Mark Raidpere (EST, b. 1975)
Nominees
Seppo Renvall (FIN)
Katrīna Neiburga (LVA)
Tea Mäkipää (FIN)
Maria Duncker (FIN)
Mark Raidpere (EST)
Exhibitions
Amos Anderson Art Museum, Helsinki and Kumu Art Museum, Tallinn, Estonia.
Art expert
Hou Hanru (CN)
Publication: ISBN 978-951-98749-5-1
2007
Markus Kåhre
Markus Kåhre, Untitled, 2006, mixed media. Photo: Markus Kåhre.
Winner
Markus Kåhre (FIN, b. 1969)
Nominees
Elina Brotherus (FIN)
Markus Kåhre (FIN)
Elina Merenmies (FIN)
Anna Tuori (FIN)
Exhibitions
Hämeenlinna Art Museum, Finland; Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Helsinki; Embassy of Finland, Washington D.C. USA; Scandinavian House, New York, USA.
Art expert
Glenn Scott Wright (UK)
Publication: ISBN 951-98749-4-1
2006
Ilkka Juhani Takalo-Eskola
Ilkka Juhani Takalo-Eskola, Sanon talouselämän irti todellisuudesta (transl. ”I say that the economy is detached from reality”), 1986, painting. © Ilkka Juhani Takalo-Eskola.
Winner
Lifetime achievement award: Ilkka Juhani Takalo-Eskola (FIN, b. 1937)
Exhibition
Amos Anderson Art Museum, Helsinki.
2005
Roi Vaara
Roi Vaara, Artist’s Dilemma, 1997, single-channel video, duration: 3 min 35 sec, Finnish National Gallery / Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma. Photo: Finnish National Gallery / Laura Pohjavirta.
Winner
Roi Vaara (FIN, b. 1953)
Nominees
Salla Tykkä (FIN)
Mari Sunna (FIN)
Paavo Paunu (FIN)
Aarne Jämsä (FIN)
Roi Vaara (FIN)
Exhibitions
Amos Anderson Art Museum, Helsinki and Jyväskylä Art Museum, Finland.
Art expert
Peter Doroshenko (USA)
Publication: ISBN 952-98749-3-3
2004
Kimmo Schroderus
Kimmo Schroderus, Expander, 2004, steel. Photo: Finnish National Gallery / Petri Virtanen.
Winner
Kimmo Schroderus (FIN, b. 1970)
Nominees
Karin Mamma Andersson (SWE)
Carin Ellberg (SWE)
Andreas Eriksson (SWE)
Anna Retulainen (FIN)
Janne Räisänen (FIN)
Kimmo Schroderus (FIN)
Exhibitions
Hämeenlinna Art Museum; Joensuu Art Museum and Kouvola Art Museum, Finland.
Art expert
Lorena Martínez De Corral (ES)
Publication: ISBN 962-471-451-5
2003
Anu Tuominen
Anu Tuominen, Warm Feet, Warm Memories, 2003, used leather shoes, pussy willows, painted wooden stool. Niemistö Collection, Hämeenlinna Art Museum. Photo: Reima Määttänen, Hämeenlinna Art Museum.
Winner
Anu Tuominen (FIN, b. 1961), Life achievement award: Harry Kivijärvi (FIN, 1931–2010)
Nominees
Timo Heino (FIN)
Pertti Kekarainen (FIN)
Irma Laukkanen (FIN)
Thomas Nyqvist (FIN)
Anu Tuominen (FIN)
Exhibitions
The Aine Art Museum, Tornio; Amos Anderson Art Museum, Helsinki and Salo Art Museum, Finland
Art expert
Aleksandr Borovski (RU)
Publication: ISBN 952-471-227-X
2002
Heli Rekula
Heli Rekula, Desiré (or I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself), 1989, dye coupler print, 124.5 x 157.5 cm. Niemistö Collection. © Heli Rekula.
Winner
Heli Rekula (FIN, b. 1963)
Nominees
Jacob Dahlgren (SWE)
Saara Ekström (FIN)
Tal R (DEN)
Heli Rekula (FIN)
Exhibitions
Lappeenranta Art Museum and Hämeenlinna Art Museum, Finland.
Art expert
Robert Storr (USA)
Publication: ISBN 951-98749-1-7
2001
Heli Hiltunen
Heli Hiltunen, Untitled – A Melody I Recognized from Someone Humming, 2000, mixed media, 14 pieces, 24 × 417,5 × 2 cm, Museum for Contemporary Art Kiasma, Helsinki. Photo: Finnish National Gallery/ Petri Virtanen.
Winner
Heli Hiltunen (FIN, b. 1960)
Nominees
Johanna Ehrnrooth (FIN)
Helena Hietanen (FIN)
Heli Hiltunen (FIN)
Kaarina Kaikkonen (FIN)
Jukka Korkeila (FIN)
Exhibitions
Amos Anderson Art Museum, Helsinki and Oulu Art Museum, Finland
Art expert
Gijs van Tuyl (NL)
Publication: ISBN 951-98749-0-9
2000
Hreinn Fridfinnsson
Hreinn Fridfinnsson, First Window (Homage to Marcel Duchamp), 1992, colour photograph, 100 x 75 cm. © Hreinn Fridfinnnsson.
Winner
Hreinn Fridfinnsson (ISL, 1943–2024)
Nominees
Bård Breivik (NOR)
Erik Dietman (SWE)
Hreinn Fridfinnsson (ISL)
Georg Gudni (ISL)
Harry Kivijärvi (FIN)
Arne Malmedal (NOR)
Balder Olrik (DEN)
Kirsten Ortwed (DEN)
Jaakko Sievänen (FIN)
Exhibitions
Hämeenlinna Art Museum and Wäinö Aaltonen Museum, Turku, Finland
Art expert
Jean Cristophe Ammann (DE)
Publication: ISBN 951-96586-8-8
1999
Markus Copper
Markus Copper, Ducks of Tuonela, 1997, sculpture (100 x 135 x55 cm). Niemistö Collection, Hämeenlinna Art Museum. Photo: Reima Määttänen / Hämeenlinna Art Museum.
Winner
Markus Copper (FIN, 1968–2019)
Nominees
Markus Copper (FIN)
Susanne Gottberg (FIN)
Pasi Karjula (FIN)
Robert Lucander (FIN)
Katarina Reuter (FIN)
Paavo Räbinä (FIN)
Marja Strömmer (FIN)
Pasi Tammi (FIN)
Exhibitions
Hämeenlinna Art Museum and Imatra Art Museum, Finland
Art expert
Saskia Bos (NL)
Publication: ISBN 951-96586-7-x
1998
Peter Frie
Peter Frie, Landscape, 1998, painting, 65 x 93 x 5,5 cm. © Peter Frie.
Winner
Peter Frie (SWE, b. 1947)
Nominees
Per Barclay (NOR)
Peter Frie (SWE)
Lone Høyer Hansen (DEN)
Pekka Jylhä (FIN)
Jon Arne Mogstad (NOR)
Jussi Niva (FIN)
Kirsten Ortwed (DEN)
Jón Óskar (ISL)
Håkan Rehnberg (SWE)
Exhibitions
Pori Art Museum and Jyväskylä Art Museum, Finland.
Art expert
Jeremy Lewison (UK)
Publication: ISBN 951-96586-6-1
1997
Pauno Pohjolainen
Pauno Pohjolainen, Mary’s Seat, 1996–1997, aspen, pine, spruce, hammered metal, patina, paint. Niemistö Collection, Hämeenlinna Art Museum. Photo: Miika Kangasniemi, Hämeenlinna City.
Winner
Pauno Pohjolainen (FIN, b. 1949)
Nominees
Jussi Heikkilä (FIN)
Pekka Kauhanen (FIN)
Irma Laukkanen (FIN)
Pekka Pitkänen (FIN)
Pauno Pohjolainen (FIN)
Antti Tanttu (FIN)
Marjatta Tapiola (FIN)
Sofia Wilkman (FIN)
Hannu Väisänen (FIN)
Exhibitions
Hämeenlinna Art Museum; Kuopio Art Museum, Finland and Tallinn Art Hall, Estonia
Art expert
Declan McGonagle (IE)
Publication: ISBN 951-96586-5-3
1996
Silja Rantanen
Silja Rantanen, Artist and Spectator, 2006, oil and graphite paint on canvas, h. 185 x w. 240 cm. Niemistö Collection, Hämeenlinna Art Museum. Photo: Sami Parkkinen / Hämeenlinna Art Museum.
Winner
Silja Rantanen (FIN, b. 1955), Stipend of commendation: Juho Karjalainen (FIN, b. 1947)
Nominees
Radoslaw Gryta (FIN)
Juhani Harri (FIN)
Juho Karjalainen (FIN)
Matti Peltokangas (FIN)
Silja Rantanen (FIN)
Sinikka Tuominen (FIN)
Exhibition
Amos Anderson Art Museum, Helsinki; Rovaniemi Art Museum and Turku Art Museum, Finland
Art expert
Bo Nilsson (SE)
Publication: ISBN 951-96586-3-7
1995
-
Front cover of the Ars95 exhibition catalogue. Photo: Finnish National Gallery / Jenni Nurminen.
The award was not granted, but the prize money was used to support the Ars 95 Helsinki exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Helsinki.
1994
Olegs Tillbergs
Olegs Tillbergs, Floods, 1994, installation, buckets set, fabric, wire, fasteners. Size adjustable. Latvian National Museum of Art. Photo: from the artist’s archive.
Winner
Olegs Tillbergs (LVA, b.1956), Young artist stipend: Jari Kylli (FIN, b. 1961)
Nominees
Kristaps Ģelzis (LVA)
Reijo Hukkanen (FIN)
Andrei Khlobystin (RUS)
Leonard Lapin (EST)
Deimantas Narkevičius (LTU)
Timur Novikov (RUS)
Jüri Okas (EST)
Nina Roos (FIN)
Olegs Tillbergs (LVA)
Gediminas Urbonas (LTU)
Exhibitions
Lappeenranta Art Museum; Helsinki Art Museum and Oulu Art Museum, Finland
Art expert
Rudi Fuchs (NL)
Publication: ISBN 951-96586-2-9
1993
Per Kirkeby
Per Kirkeby, Untitled, 2015, oil on canvas, 122x 122 cm. © Per Kirkeby
Winner
Per Kirkeby (DEN, 1938–2018)
Nominees
Martti Aiha (FIN)
Bård Breivik (NOR)
Olav Christpher Jenssen (NOR)
Per Kirkeby (DEN)
Eva Löfdahl (SWE)
Sigurður Guðmundsson (ISL)
Exhibitions
Helsinki Art Museum; Mikkeli Art museum and Wäinö Aaltonen Museum, Turku, Finland.
Art expert
María de Corral (ES)
Publication: ISBN 951-96586-1-0
1992
Johan Scott
Johan Scott, Untitled, 1992, oil on board, Niemistö Collection, Hämeenlinna Art Museum. Photo: Hanne Peippo, Hämeenlinna Art Museum.
Winner
Johan Scott (FIN, b. 1953)
Nominees
Lauri Astala (FIN)
Kari Cavén (FIN)
Marjatta Hanhijoki (FIN)
Veikko Hirvimäki (FIN)
Tapio Junno (FIN)
Jukka Mäkelä (FIN)
Marika Mäkelä (FIN)
Paul Osipow (FIN)
Johan Scott (FIN)
Marianna Uutinen (FIN)
Exhibitions
Amos Anderson Art Museum, Helsinki; Joensuu Art Museum and K.H. Renlund Museum, Kokkola, Finland
Art expert
Catherine Lampert (UK)
Publication: ISBN 951-96586-0-2
1991
Maaria Wirkkala
Maaria Wirkkala, The Seventh Room, 1987. Photo: Sakari Viika.
Winner
Maaria Wirkkala (FIN, b. 1954)
Nominees
Cris af Enehielm (FIN)
Radoslaw Gryta (FIN)
Outi Heiskanen (FIN)
Marja Kanervo (FIN)
Matti Kujasalo (FIN)
Leena Luostarinen (FIN)
Mari Rantanen (FIN)
Hannu Siren (FIN)
Osmo Valtonen (FIN)
Maaria Wirkkala (FIN)
Exhibitions
The Aine Art Museum, Tornio; Amos Anderson Art Museum, Helsinki; Kouvola Art Museum and Turku Art Museum, Finland.
Art expert
Renée Block (DE)
Publication: ISBN 952-90-32536