Anna Bella Geiger wins Velázquez Visual Arts Prize

Brazilian artist Anna Bella Geiger has been awarded the 2026 Velázquez Visual Arts Prize by the Spanish Ministry of Culture. The 93-year-old multidisciplinary creator, born in Rio de Janeiro, is recognized as a pioneer of video art and a significant figure in the decolonization of museums and art.

Geiger’s career, spanning seven decades, incorporates printmaking, painting, photography, video, and installation. Her work frequently explores themes of identity, memory, and politics, often utilizing maps and borders to examine conceptual and anthropological relationships. The jury highlighted her “attitude of continuous experimentation” and her “pedagogical commitment,” noting her profound impact on multiple generations of artists.

The award includes a €100,000 cash prize and a major retrospective of her work at the Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid.