The Richard Mille Art Prize has always been a symbol of bold creativity and innovation, and the fourth edition, held at the Louvre Abu Dhabi on December 11th, continues that legacy. This year’s winner, Nicène Kossentini, claimed the prestigious title—and a $60,000 prize—for her thought-provoking work, Landscapes. The Tunisian artist’s submission, a meditative exploration of disappearance, left a lasting impression on the distinguished jury, capturing the fragility of time and memory in a way that speaks to both the human experience and the essence of Richard Mille’s commitment to beauty and precision.
In a private ceremony beneath the iconic dome of Louvre Abu Dhabi, Kossentini’s Landscapes was celebrated by a select audience, including His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Tilly Harrison (Managing Director of Richard Mille Middle East & Türkiye), and Alexandre Mille (Global Commercial Director at Richard Mille). The event also marked another milestone in Richard Mille’s long-standing partnership with Louvre Abu Dhabi, underscoring the brand’s dedication to fostering contemporary art and reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global art hub.
Kossentini’s work is anything but ordinary. Through five video pieces depicting Tunisia’s desolate landscapes, each scene fades gradually beneath layers of wax, symbolizing the slow erasure of time, memory, and place. It’s a powerful meditation on the impermanence of the world around us, inviting viewers to reflect on what is being lost and what still endures.
In a statement following her win, Kossentini explained: “My work, Landscapes, is an exploration of disappearance, the emotional and physical erasure of the world around us. The landscapes I film in Tunisia, often abandoned or forgotten, serve as metaphors for the fragility of time and memory.” With the support of Richard Mille and the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Kossentini’s voice and vision now resonate on a global platform.
The Richard Mille Art Prize is an ongoing commitment to the intersection of art and innovation. Each year, the competition invites artists to respond to a theme that challenges them to think beyond conventional boundaries. For 2024, the theme “Awakenings” brought together a diverse group of artists, including Lamya Gargash, Moataz Nasr, Sarah Almehairi, and Férielle Doulain-Zouari. All of them interpreted the theme in unique ways, but Kossentini’s Landscapes stood out for its quiet yet profound reflection on the fragility of existence.
The jury, chaired by H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, included art world heavyweights such as Dr. Guilhem André, Simon Njami, Nujoom Alghanem, and Maya Allison. Their collective expertise played a key role in selecting Nicène Kossentini as the winner, ensuring that her work truly embodied the essence of this year’s theme, “Awakenings.”
This year’s Richard Mille Art Prize is another testament to the brand’s unwavering support of art and its unique ability to bridge the worlds of horology and contemporary creativity. As Kossentini’s work proves, art can transcend boundaries, and with the ongoing support of Richard Mille and the Louvre Abu Dhabi, it will continue to inspire new perspectives for years to come.
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