Rönkkö will create a new site-specific video installation. “I feel very honoured and grateful to have been selected to receive the Below Zero 2023 prize. It feels particularly special because it allows me to continue making experimental, multi-disciplinary works in London, a city that was my home for over 10 years,” says Rönkkö.
Rönkkö works with video, performance, installation, participatory art, internet and text. Her work investigates the relationship between the digital era, power, humanity and the future of our planet.
This is the third time the prize has been awarded. The prize is worth £15 000 and includes a mentored 4–6 week residency in London, materials and an exhibition at Beaconsfield in London. During the residency, the recipient will realise her project for the gallery. In addition, the Serlachius Museums will provide the winner with an exhibition and a residency.
This year 70 artists applied for the Below Zero Prize, which is awarded to an internationally emerging Finnish artist or an artist living in Finland. The selection panel included Naomi Siderfin and David Crawforth, Artistic Directors of the Beaconsfield Gallery, Pauli Sivonen, Director of the Serlachius Museums, Karoliina Korpilahti, Director of the Art Programme at the Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland and Hannele Tilles, independent curator.
“This third iteration of Below Zero seems more important than ever; to reinforce cultural relationships that are able to jump over physical and human geographies of distance. We look forward to collaborating on a new and dynamic art project by Nastja Säde Rönkkö, drawing on London’s rich resources, and are delighted to be working once again with our long-term partner Finnish Institute in UK + Ireland, and expanding the project with our new partner in Finland, Serlachius Museums,” says Naomi Siderfin.
The jury shortlisted five artists or pairs of artists who further developed the idea they presented in the open call. In addition to Rönkkö, the shortlist included Felicia Honkasalo, Flis Holland, Noora Schroderus and artist duo Raisa Raekallio and Misha Del Val. The jury was pleased with the high standard of the entries.
“Nastja Säde Rönkkö managed to raise the level of her fascinating project considerably in the two-stage competition. It is great that we had the opportunity to have a two-stage competition, which allows the artists to reflect a little more deeply on the content and implementation of their projects,” says Pauli Sivonen.
The prize is organised by Beaconsfield Gallery, Serlachius Museums and the Finnish Institute in Britain and Ireland.
