The Facts
Otobong Nkanga (born 1974, Kano, Nigeria) will receive the Sikkens Prize 2026 on October 26, 2026, at a ceremony in Laren, Netherlands. The prize, awarded by the Sikkens Foundation, honors an artist or collective pioneering in the field of color. Nkanga was recognized for revealing the origins of color in earth, community, and life through her sculptures, tapestries, drawings, and installations. For the first time, the foundation will accompany the prize with a solo exhibition, 'Humus Blues,' at Singer Laren, running from October 27, 2026, to February 28, 2027. The exhibition features sculptures, textiles, drawings, paintings, photographs, and poetry, highlighting the role of color in her work. Additionally, monumental works by Nkanga will be on view in the anniversary exhibition 'ReflAction' at the AkzoNobel Art Foundation in Amsterdam.
The Signal
The Sikkens Prize, one of the few awards specifically focused on color, aligns closely with Nkanga's practice, which connects pigments and minerals to landscapes, extraction, and reconstruction. The decision to mount a dedicated exhibition alongside the prize signals a deeper institutional commitment to the laureate's work, offering collectors and curators a concentrated view of Nkanga's multidisciplinary output. With recent presentations in Paris, Lausanne, Kanazawa, New York, and Venice, this recognition further cements her standing as a leading contemporary artist addressing geopolitical and ecological themes through materiality.
- Artists: Otobong Nkanga
- People: Otobong Nkanga
- Museums: Singer Laren, AkzoNobel Art Foundation
- Locations: Laren, Amsterdam
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