The Nasher Prize Award Gala Honors Groundbreaking Artist Senga Nengudi

A jury of eight art world luminaries deliberated in London last summer to review hundreds of dossiers and came to a consensus on Senga Nengudi as an artist that elevates the understanding of sculpture and its possibilities. “One has the feeling that an international jury of experts has taken the time to really look at the content of the award winner’s work,” last year’s winner and current juror, Nairy Baghramian, tells Galerie. “This esteem has undoubtedly encouraged me in my work ever since, and this year I very much enjoyed observing that this respect was passed on to Senga, who has advanced her practice with great continuity over so many decades, manifesting a position important to the debate on corporeality and performativity in sculpture.”

Nengudi’s prolific career over five decades has ranged from sculpture, performance, film, photography, and poetry. Working with themes of the human body and the ephemeral, Nengudi pushed boundaries in the realm of sculpture with series such as “R.S.V.P,” where pantyhose sculptures filled with sand were stretched and activated by performers like Nengudi’s long-time collaborator, Maren Hassinger, to express the resilience of the body and how it changes over time. “For Senga, art can be made from whatever is on hand,” says Nancy Nasher. “Whether it is tape, water, sand, rock, found objects, or even friendship, she draws out poetry, playing with movement, environments, and collaboration.”

The magical celebration, hosted by Nasher Director Jeremy Strick and Nasher Prize Co-Chairs Mary McDermott Cook and Grace Cook, featured a soulful performance by Nycole Ray of the Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s DBDT Emcore! and vocalist and composer Damon K. Clark. Nestled in the Nasher’s lush sculpture garden, the event featured delectable bites by Wolfgang Puck Catering and sips of Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé. A flurry of paper flowers filled the event tent centered around a striking Barbara Hepworth sculpture. Guests freely perused the front gallery that housed four key works by Nengudi as well as the “Mark di Suvero: Steel Like Paper” exhibition currently on view—invited to lounge on a rubber swing by di Suvero.

Wrapped in a glittering cape and wearing a head lamp shinning towards the heavens, Nengudi accepted her award by paying homage to those who “followed the yellow brick road” with her and celebrated their creative spirit. Nengudi’s message during the entire symposium weekend was focused on collaboration, emphasizing the fact that it was her friends that not only encouraged her but helped in executing her experimental art. Among them, Linda Goode Bryant, Maren Hassinger, and Studio Z, an influential Los Angeles collective of artists, filmmakers, and musicians. “I have this personal philosophy that art is a very big boat,” explains Nengudi. “And there’s plenty of room for everybody in every way.”