Neda Koochakian Fard named Jhalak Artist in Residence for 2020

Neda Koochakian Fard, a London-based, Iranian conceptual artist, is the recipient of the third Jhalak Art Residency and will create a unique work of art for the winner of the 2020 prize.

The work of art is scheduled to be unveiled and presented to the winner along with a £1,000 prize cheque at a receptionon 26th May 2020.

The Jhalak Art Residency began in 2018 when novelist Dorothy Koomson offered to sponsor a unique work of art by an artist of colour to serve as a trophy for the Jhalak Prize. The aim, as with the Jhalak Prize, is to shine a light on artists of colour in contemporary Britain, to recognise their creative output, and celebrate their works.

The first Jhalak Prize trophy was created by ceramic artist Chris Bramble and awarded to Reni Eddo-Lodge in 2018 and, in 2019, activist, writer and artist Tashmia Owen created "The Library" as the winner’s trophy which was awarded to Guy Gunaratne.

Fard, who was born in Tehran, studied fine arts at the Tehran University and has exhibited in Iran and the UK, including at the Hampstead School of Arts, Central St Giles, and the Royal Academy of Art. Currently she is focused on "exploring how technology impacts humanity, the climate crisis and the impending anthropocene extinction".

Judged by poet and writer Roy McFarlane, journalist, critic and author Anita Sethi, novelist and screenwriter Nikesh Shukla, and novelist Kerry Young, 2020's prize longlist was announced earlier this month. The shortlist will be released on 14th April 2020.