Art Basel Miami Beach held the first Art Basel Awards on Thursday, hosted by Swizz Beatz and acknowledging 11 honorees. The ceremony, presented in partnership with Boss, was held at the Frank Gehry-designed New World Center, and came after the success of the initial awards in Switzerland this past June. Musician Kelsey Lu performed toward the end of the evening.
Called the Gold Awardees, the inaugural honorees were Cecilia Vicuña (Icon); Nairy Baghramian and Ibrahim Mahama (Established); Mohammad Alfaraj and Saodat Ismailova (Emerging); Formafantasma (Cross-Disciplinary); Joel Wachs (Patron); RAW Material Company (Institution); Candice Hopkins (Curator); Gasworks / Triangle Network (Allies); and Negar Azimi (Media & Storytelling).
“Hosting the inaugural Art Basel Awards was truly an honor,” Beatz said. “For the first time, the entire arts ecosystem — from artists to cultural leaders and the many people working behind the scenes around the world — was recognized on a global stage. Through The Dean Collection, we’ve always believed in championing artists, and tonight embodied that energy in the most powerful way. Being invited to lead the first edition was deeply meaningful, and I’m proud to have helped set the tone for a night that will resonate for years to come. ‘By the artist, For the artist, With the people!!’”
Meriem Bennani, Ibrahim Mahama, Candice Hopkins, Andrea Trimarchi, Cecilia Vicuna, Joel Wachs, Swizz Beatz, Simone Farresin, Mohammad Al Faraj, Robert Leckie, Saodat Ismailova, Nairy Baghramian, Marie Helene-Pereira and Alessio Antoniolli. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Art Basel)
Getty Images for Art Basel
Jonathan Isenring, Vincenzo De Bellis and Noah Horowitz. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Art Basel)
Getty Images for Art Basel
Kelsey Lu performs during Art Basel Awards Night. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Art Basel)
Getty Images for Art Basel