Lichtwark-Förderpreis 2025

Karimah Ashadu has been awarded the Lichtwark-Förderpreis by the City of Hamburg, presented by Senator for Culture and Media Dr. Carsten Brosda at a ceremony in the Hamburger Kunsthalle. Named after Alfred Lichtwark, the Lichtwark prizes honor artists whose work offers distinctive and forward-looking contributions to contemporary visual culture.

Ashadu’s multidisciplinary practice, marked by a rigorous visual language and sustained engagement with social, spatial, and economic conditions, positions her as one of the most compelling voices of her generation. The Lichtwark-Preis was this year awarded to Jutta Koether.

Screening and Talk at Haus der Kunst, Munich

The film ‘Plateau’ (2021-2022) will be screened in the Auditorium of Haus der Kunst, Munich, followed by a conversation with Andrea Lissoni, Director of Haus der Kunst. The event takes place in collaboration with Public Art München, on occasion of Karimah Ashadu’s public art installation at Marienplatz.

Haus der Kunst, Munich
Auditorium
Friday 31 October 2025, 8- 10 PM
Free admission

‘Machine Boys’ at the 18th Istanbul Biennial

The film ‘Machine Boys‘ and the sculpture ‘Wreath’ (2024) are currently exhibited in the 18th Istanbul Biennial, titled ‘The Three-Legged Cat’ and curated by Christine Tohmé. The event will unfold over three years, from 2025 to 2027. The first leg will take place from 20 September to 23 November 2025. 

18th Istanbul Biennial, 4th Floor at Zihni Han, until 23 November 2025

2025 Shortlist – Film London Jarman Award

Karimah Ashadu is among the seven shortlisted artists for the 2025 edition of the Film London Jarman Award. Now in its eighteenth year, the Jarman Award celebrates the practices of ground-breaking artist filmmakers. 

The winner of the Jarman Award will be announced in late November in London. Throughout Autumn, in the run-up to the event, audiences can explore the work of the shortlisted artists through a nationwide touring programme (dates to be announced in September). The shortlisted artists’ work will be presented as an exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery, London from 18 November – 14 December 2025.

Screenings and Talk at E-Flux, New York

The event “Karimah Ashadu: Scenes of Labor” is a screening of selected films, introduced by Karimah Ashadu, followed by a conversation between Sofia Thiệu D’Amico and Caroline Taylor Shehan of Canal Projects.

The program includes the following films : Apapa Amusement Park (2013), Lagos Sand Merchants (2013), King of Boys (Abattoir of Makoko) (2015) and Plateau (2021-2022).

The event will take place on June 5th, 2025 at 7PM at E-Flux, New York.

PASSAGE public art commission in Munich – October 2025

For the PASSAGE commission, Karimah Ashadu’s Plateau work (2021-2022) will be adapted for the vitrines in Munich’s historic passage at Marienplatz.

The public art commission will open on October 24, 2025. On the occasion of this project, a talk will take place at Haus der Kunst with Andrea Lissoni and the artist on October 31st.