EKP Excellence in Research Award 2022 winner at St. Joost School of Fine Art & Design

The EKP Excellence in Research Award Winner 2022 was revealed to be the visual artist Michaela Davidova (Czech Republic, 1988) during yesterday’s opening ceremony of St. Joost’s Graduation Show in Den Bosch. The EKP Excellence in Research Award, gratefully supported by SDK Vastgoed, is a 2,500 EUR annual prize for the outstanding graduate research at the master’s level. The prize recognizes a capstone project that exemplifies art’s ability to generate new ideas and modes of thought, to imagine a different future capable of altering the current state of affairs.

Michaela Davidova is a graduate of the Ecology Futures program at the Master Institute of Visual Cultures’ Master of Arts in Fine Art and Design level. Constructed Wetlands & Deconstructed Borders, her award-winning graduating project, is a study of ecological thought in alternative photographic practice and the use of manmade wetlands. In the photography darkroom, she investigates techniques for developing connections with the non-human and trans-corporeality, attunement, and compassion.

“I’m very excited and grateful for this award and looking forward to what might come next. I would like my research to grow into something positive, like a seed.” —Michaela Davidova

Three nominees from the interdisciplinary master’s pathways Ecology Futures, Visual Arts & Post Contemporary Practice, and Situated Design were used to choose the winner. Pauline Berger (Visual Arts Post Contemporary Practice) and Elena Lupoiu were nominated (Situated Design).

Yanxian Zhao, Olga Mink, and Anne Marie Piscaer made up the jury (winner 2020). All of the nominees’ work was highly praised. In their jury report on the winning graduation project, they noted that Michaela had shown excellence in research by being able to articulate difficult ecocentric layers and situate them in a poetic and exceptionally well-researched context that allowed the work to reveal its transformative potential.

The winning work is on view as part of the Graduation Show, which is open to the public until Sunday July 3 and can be viewed online.

About the EKP Excellence in Research Award.
The EKP Excellence in Research Award is an annual award of 2,500 EUR for the best graduate research at master level, sponsored by SDK Vastgoed. SDK Vastgoed is the area developer of the EKP site, which currently houses St. Joost School of Art & Design. In the coming years this will be transformed into the lively EKP district with more than 800 new homes, restaurants, workspaces, and educational facilities that includes the art school. The district will provide spaces for experimentation and give young and creative talent the chance to develop further. For this reason, SDK Vastgoed is supporting various creative initiatives such as the EKP Excellence in Research Award. The award also contributes to the visibility and importance of art and culture in society. More information about the project can be found on the website.