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Indian Sculptor Wins Prestigious French Art Prize
22 Apr
Summary
- Sajid Wajid Sheikh received the Henry Clews Prize for 2026-2027.
- The award includes a year-long residency at Château de La Napoule.
- A French cultural exchange program paved the way for this recognition.
Indian artist Sajid Wajid Sheikh has been honored with the Henry Clews Prize for the 2026-2027 cycle. This prestigious award, granted every two years by the La Napoule Art Foundation, supports sculptors through an immersive year-long residency at the Château de La Napoule. The residency includes a research and creation grant and will conclude with a summer exhibition.
The prize perpetuates the legacy of sculptor Henry Clews and his wife Marie Clews, who envisioned the château as a hub for artistic freedom and international exchange. Sheikh's practice, which blends sculpture, installations, and film, often delves into themes of resistance and systemic tension. He is based between Navi Mumbai and Aurangabad.
Sheikh's previous engagement with the château during a 2025 residency, facilitated by the French Institute in India and the French Embassy in India, significantly influenced his trajectory. The French Ambassador to India, H.E. Mr Thierry Mathou, commended the award, highlighting the transformative power of Franco-Indian cultural exchange programs in shaping artists' careers.
