AXA Art Prize Shortlist Highlights Emerging Figurative Talent

The finalists were determined through a rigorous two-tier selection process. Initially, regional jurors from a strategic advisory board of 30 major institutions reviewed the entries. A final panel—comprised of Laura Hoptman, Christopher Lew, Monique Long, and Jasmine Wahi—curated the definitive shortlist. Among the participating institutions, the Fashion Institute of Technology leads with six finalists, followed by the Maryland Institute College of Art, the Rhode Island School of Design, and the Savannah College of Art and Design, each contributing four artists.

Since its inception in 2018, the competition has served as a launchpad for students focusing on figurative work. During the November exhibition, a distinguished panel of artists, including Ann Craven, Amy Cutler, and Kiki Smith, will award a $10,000 top prize and a $5,000 runner-up prize. Jennifer Schipf, Global Chief Underwriting Officer for Fine Art & Specie at AXA XL, emphasized that the initiative aims to foster a sustainable community for young artists beyond mere recognition. Previous participants have frequently leveraged this exposure to secure gallery representation and solo exhibitions across the United States and Europe.