Cobra Art Price Amstelveen

Dystopian

The art of Sylvie Zijlmans & Hewald Jongenelis shows how creativity can inspire, connect and offer new perspectives. The jury, consisting of Roos Gortzak (director Vleeshal, Middelburg), Melchior Jaspers (art advisor to the Chief Government Architect and exhibition maker), and Sjarel Ex (art historian), chose Zijlmans & Jongenelis as the winner because of their playful, experimental and collective art practice – three traits that are directly connected to the legacy of Cobra. The duo is known for their socially engaged art, which often explores dystopian themes, yet always contains a hint of optimism and togetherness. Their work is a unique blend of performance, sculpture and interactive installations, focusing on the role of the human being. Sylvie Zijlmans & Hewald Jongenelis not only create artworks, but bring people together to participate in their visionary worlds.

About the Prize

The Cobra Art Prize Amstelveen has been awarded since 2005 and is intended for visual artists who are in the middle of their careers and whose oeuvre is related to the ideas and engaged art practice of the Cobra movement. The core of this movement is formed by experimental, playful and a radical approach to art. The prize consists of a cash prize of 15,000 euros and a solo exhibition in Museum Cobra. With the Cobra Art Prize Amstelveen, Museum Cobra together with the municipality of Amstelveen creates attention for how the values of the Cobra movement play a role in contemporary art today. Previous winners include Joost Conijn (2005), Johannes Schwartz (2007), Gijs Frieling (2009), Nathaniel Mellors (2011), Metahaven (2013), Jennifer Tee (2015), Christian Friedrich (2017) and Guido van der Werve (2021). The Cobra Art Prize Amstelveen is made possible by the Municipality of Amstelveen.

About the exhibition

The exhibition Voices From a Simmering City is on view from November 14, 2024 through February 9, 2025 at Museum Cobra and features several installations.