It was the artist’s five paper collages that convinced the jury: Mohammed collected second-hand books, laboriously cutting out letters to create collages, giving new meaning to each letter. In a statement released by the V&A Museum, the jury said that they were “particularly moved by the paradox between the intensity and the modesty of his collages.”
Gunjaan (2014) Ghulam Mohammad
The award, launched in 2009, and whose prestige is ever increasing, focuses on contemporary creation inspired by Islamic tradition. In order to be eligible for selection, artists must present a body of work created over the last five years. Former laureates include Rachid Koraïchi in 2011 and Afruz Amighi in 2009.
The jury was comprised of Alan Caiger-Smith, potter; Ece and Ayşe Ege, founders of the fashion label Dice Kayek and winners of Jameel Prize 3; Rose Issa, curator, writer, publisher and producer; Hammad Nasar, curator, writer and Head of Research and Programmes at Asia Art Archive (AAA), Hong Kong and, Martin Roth, Director of the V&A.