A Pakistan-born miniature artist, Shazia Sikander, has been awarded Fukuoka Prize in Arts and Culture for introducing innovation in the traditional art forms by the use of the modern digital technology of miniature painting, which follows conventions dating back to the Mughal Empire.
As per a press release issued on Thursday by the Embassy of Japan in Islamabad, Japan’s Fukuoka Prize Committee has announced the Fukuoka Prize 2022.
Fukuoka Prize is presented in three categories: Grand Prize, Academic Prize, and Arts and Culture Prize. Moreover, Shazia Sikander, this year’s Prize laureates comprise Japanese Taiko Drummer Hayashi Eitetsu for Grand Prize while Historian Prof. Timon Screech from the U.K for Academic Prize.
Read more: Pakistani VFX artist praised online for recreating ‘Shang-Chi’ fight scene
In the coming September, the laureates will be officially invited to Fukuoka, Japan, to collect their respective awards.
In the past, there were three Pakistani recipients of the Fukuoka Prize. Late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the renowned qawwali maestro; Yasmeen Lari, architect, heritage conservationist, and architectural historian; and Dr. Uxi Mufti, a specialist in preserving folk heritage.
Lahore resident, Shahzia Sikander completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1991 from the National College of Arts (NCA) in Lahore. She was given “Tamgha-e-Imtiaz” (Medal of Excellence) by the Pakistani government in 2005 in appreciation of her remarkable contribution to the field of arts. Currently, she lives in New York.
Moreover, Fukuoka Prize was recognized in 1990 by the Japanese Fukuoka city and Fukuoka City International Foundation. It is awarded to individuals, groups, or organizations for their outstanding work in preserving Asian culture.
The prize intends to enhance the awareness of Asian cultures and institute a broad framework for exchange and mutual learning among the peoples of Asia. This year celebrates the 32nd anniversary of the initiation of the Fukuoka Prize. Over the past 31 years, the prize has been awarded to 118 leading figures in their respective fields.
