Mori Art Award 2026
Mari Katayama has been selected as the first grand prize winner of the Mori Art Award 2026, receiving a prize of 10 million yen and an exhibition opportunity at the Mori Art Museum.Summary
The Mori Art Museum Foundation (MoriCAF) announced that Mari Katayama has been chosen as the first grand prize winner of the “Mori Art Award,” which aims to support mid-career artists who are leading the next generation of contemporary art. Katayama will receive a prize of 10 million yen and the opportunity to exhibit her work in collaboration with the Mori Art Museum.
The Mori Art Award was established in May 2025 as an award system for Japanese contemporary artists, particularly mid-career artists, to advance to the global stage. Held every two years, artists are recommended by domestic recommendation committees based on outstanding exhibitions and works announced in the past two years, and four finalists are selected through document screening by an international selection committee. In addition to Katayama, the finalists included Akio Koizumi, [mé], and Chikako Yamashiro, each of whom will receive a prize of 1 million yen, excluding Katayama.
Mari Katayama (born 1987) centers her practice on living within her own body, creating sculptures, mannequins, and works that reflect society. The international selection committee praised Katayama’s work for “strongly and positively presenting the possibility of expanding the boundaries of her own body,” and expressed expectations for her future activities.
(Source：ART iT)