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NEW YORK, NY– June 1, 2022 – Tribeca Festival and CHANEL today announced the artists selected as part of the 2022 Artist Awards Program. As in years past, Tribeca and CHANEL once again bring together esteemed artists to donate a piece of their work, which will be presented to storytellers who are awarded at the Festival, running June 8 - June 19.
Ten acclaimed artists have been invited by Tribeca and CHANEL to celebrate their fellow storytellers including Deborah Roberts, February James, Garry Simmons, Hank Willis Thomas, Leilah Babirye, Ming Smith, Nicoletta Darita de la Brown, Nina Chanel Abney, Ouattara Watts, and Wardell Milan. These leading visual artists will each contribute original artwork, which will be awarded to the 2022 festival winners.
“Tribeca is deeply committed to generating opportunities for visionaries to explore the intersection of creativity and culture. The 2022 Artist Awards program is a celebration of creative renewal in New York City after a challenging few years,” said Tribeca Festival Co-Founder and Tribeca Enterprises CEO Jane Rosenthal. "Every year, we’re proud to support artistic excellence alongside CHANEL. Our longstanding partnership is a testament to a shared pursuit of honoring powerful, bold stories in film, games, art, and all forms of creativity in-between."
The tradition of supporting artistic creativity and vision goes back to the inception of the Tribeca Festival, which was founded with a mission to revitalize downtown New York City in the wake of September 11th. This signature cultural event is a way for storytellers of all mediums to help locals and small businesses with the support of the creative community. From year one of the Festival, studio artists witnessed the positive impact it was forming and wanted to be involved as a way for artists to directly support and celebrate other artists and filmmakers in the community. This solidarity and generosity has remained a core value of the Tribeca Festival and the Artist Awards is a yearly reminder of that.
“The Tribeca Festival has an unparalleled ability to unite people through the power of creative expression. When I was approached by Tribeca and CHANEL to curate this year’s Artist Awards, I began reflecting on all that we’ve been through these past years and the Kendrick Lamar song “Alright” (2015) kept playing in my head. Our collective experience of life and loss inspired me to convene artists, across generations and various stages of careers, who will offer a snapshot of where culture is right now with a comforting message: 'We gon’ be alright.’ Standing together — those who came before, those who are here now, and those who are coming up — we will be alright,” said the 2022 Artist Awards curator Racquel Cevremont.
CHANEL’s collaboration with the Tribeca Festival is a testament to the brand’s continuous commitment to creation and artistry in their varied forms. Throughout history, art has played an integral role at the House of CHANEL. House founder and visionary Gabriel Chanel surrounded herself with the leading artists of her time, drawing inspiration and support from her fellow creative peers. CHANEL is honored to continue its support of the annual Artist Awards Program, which celebrates the leading filmmakers and artists of our time, and the rich tradition of artists supporting artists.
This year’s art collection will be displayed at the Tribeca Festival Hub at Spring Studios throughout the Festival.
Following is a complete list of contributed artwork.
February James: Oil On Canvas, info pending. Watercolor and ink on paper. 16 x 12. Given to Nora Ephron Award Winner
Deborah Roberts: Past Tense #25, 2019. Mixed media on paper. 6x5 in. Framed. Given to Best New Narrative Director Winner
Leilah Babirye: Abambowa (Royal Guard Who Protects the King), 2022. Glazed ceramic, bicycle tire inner tubes, copper wire. 9 x 3 x 3 inches. Given to Founders Award for Best Narrative Feature Winner
Wardell Milan: Untitled (Red Tulip 2022), 2018. Oil, graphite, acrylic on board. 18 x 24in. Given to Best Narrative Short Winner
Hank Willis Thomas: Learn, Baby, Learn (multi on red), 2019. Screenprint on retroreflective vinyl, mounted on Dibond. 15 x 30 in. Given to Best Documentary Short Winner
Nicoletta Darita de la Brown: Three Bodies, 2021. Giclée print from 3 hour durational performance. Framed: 10 x 15 inches. Given to Albert Maysles New Documentary Director Award Winner
Garry Simmons: Black Ark Stars (Process Black), 2022. Lithograph and screenprint with Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee on paper. 20 x 16 inches; AP 5/10 Ed. of 35. Given to Best International Narrative Feature Winner
Ming Smith: Dakar Roadside, 1972. Pigment Print. 11 x 14. Given to Best Documentary Feature Winner
Nina Chanel Abney: Untitled, 2022. Collage. 21 5/8 x 16 ¾ inches. Give to Best Animated Short Winner
Ouattara Watts: Sunrise, 2005. Watercolor on paper. 22½ x 30½ inches; OW-05-014 / 05-12. Given to Student Visionary Award Winner
