Winners of the Nordic and Baltic Young Artist Award 2024
Fotografiska Tallinn recognized two exceptional talents from the competition by awarding Kirke Kuiv and Diana Luganski a one-year Fotografiska membership.
In 2025, selected winning artworks will be showcased at the Art Academy of Latvia Pilot Gallery. While the list of nominees is announced, the final selection of artists for the exhibition will be curated by the galleries.
Grand Prix: Ameena Alali (Konstfack), Mara Marie Kirchberg (EKA), Elena Laurinavičiūtė (VDA), Alise Builevica (LMA), David Danell (Konstfack), Charlotte Clermont (Uniarts);
Painting Award: Marc Léger Sauvageot (EKA), Johanna Saikkonen (Uniarts), Mikko Ängeslevä (Uniarts)
Photo Award: Diana Luganski (Uniarts), Kirke Kuiv (Pallas).
Participating Academies and Nominees
This year, the competition brought together a remarkable cohort of emerging artists from leading Nordic and Baltic art academies, reflecting the diverse and innovative nature of contemporary art in the region:
• Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts and Design (Sweden)
• Turku University of Applied Sciences (Finland)
• Uniarts Helsinki (Finland)
• Estonian Academy of Arts (Estonia)
• Pallas University of Applied Sciences (Estonia)
• Art Academy of Latvia (Latvia)
• Vilnius Academy of Arts (Lithuania)
The Nordic and Baltic Young Artist Award is an esteemed platform dedicated to celebrating the talent of recent art graduates from leading Nordic and Baltic academies. It is a unique initiative that bridges regional art communities and supports young artists in launching their careers on an international stage. By focusing on graduation exhibitions, the award shines a spotlight on the freshest voices in contemporary art, fostering connections between artists, curators, and collectors.
The winners were selected by a distinguished jury, consisting of internationally recognized professors, curators, and artists:
• Andris Vītoliņš (Art Academy of Latvia, Latvia)
• Ieva Skauronė (Vilnius Academy of Arts, Lithuania)
• Harri Monni (Uniarts Helsinki, Finland)
• Anni Anttonen (Uniarts Helsinki, Finland)
• Margus Meinart (Pallas University of Applied Sciences, Estonia)
• Kaisa Maasik (Estonian Academy of Arts, Estonia)
• Taina Erävaara (Turku University of Applied Sciences, Finland)
• Anne Klontz (Konstfack, Sweden)
• Per Nilsson (Umeå Academy of Fine Arts, Sweden)
• Maarja Loorents (Fotografiska Tallinn, Estonia)
• Deborah Duerr (Galleri Duerr, Sweden)
• Ugnė Bužinskaitė (Noewe Foundation, Lithuania)
• Andra Orn (Founder of NOBA.ac and curator of the Nordic Baltic contemporary art platform).
The Public Choice Award was determined by an online vote, with over 1,380 votes cast. Kirke Kuiv’s winning work received an impressive 323 votes, underscoring the resonance of her art with the audience.
