The “Oscar of Art” celebrates international artists and arts
The Japan Art Association has announced the winners of the 36th edition of the Praemium Imperiale, widely regarded as the “Oscar of art.” This prestigious award, presented annually, celebrates the life achievements of internationally acclaimed artists in five major categories: painting, sculpture, architecture, music, and theatre/film.
Praemium Imperiale's winners 2025: Peter Doig, Marina Abramović, Eduardo Souto de Moura, András Schiff, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker
In the 2025 edition, the award for sculpture goes to Marina Abramović, the Serbian performance artist known for her powerful and provocative work. British painter Peter Doig receives the award for painting. Also honored are Eduardo Souto de Moura (Portugal) for architecture, Sir András Schiff (UK/Hungary) for music, and Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker (Belgium) for theatre/film.
Each of the winners will receive 15 million yen (approximately €91,000), a diploma, and a medal to be presented on October 22 during a formal ceremony in Tokyo. Prince Hitachi, the Honorary Patron of the Japan Art Association, will present the awards personally.
Recognized as one of the most important art prizes in the world, the Praemium Imperiale honors artists who have had a significant influence on global art and culture. It is considered the most comprehensive award in the field of art, often compared to the Nobel Prize.
Since its inception, 180 artists have received the Praemium Imperiale, including renowned Italians such as Federico Fellini, Sophia Loren, Renzo Piano, Arnaldo Pomodoro, and Claudio Abbado.
A Spotlight on the Winners
Peter Doig – Painting
Born in Edinburgh in 1959, Peter Doig is celebrated as a key figure in contemporary figurative painting. His unique style blends vivid colors and emotive landscapes with surreal, dreamlike elements. Drawing on personal memories and visual fragments from photographs and films, Doig’s paintings create narratives that are both mysterious and emotionally charged.
Doig’s childhood in Trinidad and his youth in snowy Canada gave him contrasting visual influences that shaped his artistic vision. “These experiences had a huge impact on my painting,” he says. His creative process is slow and meticulous, often taking years to complete a single work. “I feel that my paintings are deeply connected to my life. They’re like a journey—an expression of the life I’ve lived.”
Now dividing his time between London and Trinidad, Doig remains one of the most admired living artists. His works are featured in major public and private collections worldwide.
Peter Doig Studio, London
Marina Abramović © The Japan Art Association The Sankei Shimbun, Praemium Imperiale for paint
Marina Abramović – Sculpture
Though she is best known as a performance artist, Marina Abramović has redefined the boundaries of sculpture and the body as a medium in contemporary art. Born in Belgrade in 1946, Abramović has spent decades challenging the limits of the human body and mind. Her work frequently invites the audience to become active participants, blurring the lines between performer and observer.
Her groundbreaking 1974 performance Rhythm 0 allowed the public to use 72 objects on her body, including a loaded gun—pushing the boundaries of vulnerability, violence, and trust. Her 2010 MoMA performance The Artist Is Present, where she silently sat across from museum visitors for over 700 hours, became a global cultural phenomenon and shattered attendance records.
Abramović continues to advocate for long-form performance and interdisciplinary collaboration through the Marina Abramović Institute (MAI), founded in 2012. Though based in New York, she regularly tours and collaborates with international artists, always seeking new ways to expand emotional and intellectual boundaries in art.
Eduardo Souto de Moura – Architecture
Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura, born in Porto in 1952, is known for his sensitive, site-specific designs. A disciple of Álvaro Siza (a Praemium Imperiale laureate in 1998), Souto de Moura believes that architecture must be rooted in place, culture, and time.
His major projects include the conversion of the Mosteiro de Amares into a hotel, the Braga Municipal Stadium, and the Paula Rego Museum. In 2011, he was awarded the Pritzker Prize, and in 2018 he won the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale. He was also named Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters by France in 2024.
As a respected educator, he teaches in architecture schools around the world and emphasizes the need for ecological awareness and cultural intelligence in contemporary design.
Eduardo Souto de Moura Studio at Porto, Portugal
András Schiff. Photo: Pablo Castagnola
András Schiff – Music
Sir András Schiff, born in Budapest in 1953, is considered one of the greatest living pianists. Acclaimed for his interpretations of composers like Bach, Beethoven, and Bartók, he began studying music at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest and later with harpsichordist George Malcolm in London.
In 1999, Schiff founded the chamber orchestra Cappella Andrea Barca, which allowed him to explore music beyond solo performance. “Being a musician is not a profession—it’s a privilege,” he says. In 2014, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to music.
He is also a passionate teacher and writer; his book Music Comes Out of Silence provides insight into his philosophy and love for art and music.
Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker – Theatre/Film
Belgian choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, born in 1960, has been a driving force in contemporary dance since founding her company Rosas in 1983. Known for her deep investigation of the relationship between music and movement, her early breakthrough work Fase (1982) used music by Steve Reich and set the tone for her minimalist, mathematically precise choreographic style.
Her work often begins with simple gestures, like walking, which she transforms into complex, abstract movement. Signature pieces include Rain (2001) and EXIT ABOVE (2023). In 2025, she collaborated with emerging dancer Solal Mariotte on BREL, a duet inspired by Jacques Brel.
She also founded P.A.R.T.S., a performance arts school in Brussels that supports the next generation of artists and dancers. In recent years, she has explored crossovers with visual art in exhibitions at the Louvre, MoMA, and Tate Modern.
Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker with Solal Mariotte
Supporting the Future of Art: Young Artists Grant 2025
In addition to the main awards, the Praemium Imperiale Young Artists Grant 2025 was awarded to the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain. Announced on July 15 in London during a press conference chaired by Lord Patten of Barnes, the grant includes 5 million yen (approx. €30,000) and a diploma.
Established in 1997, the grant supports promising young artists or organizations actively involved in developing new talent. Candidates are selected by International Advisors in consultation with their national committees and approved by the Japan Art Association.
The Praemium Imperiale continues to stand as a global symbol of excellence in art, recognizing artists whose life’s work has reshaped how we see the world—whether through sculpture, painting, music, architecture, or the stage.
