Collection's Prizes 2022

Casa MER, based in Segovia, 30 minutes from Madrid, is the result of the passion for collecting shared by Elena Rueda, Marcos Martín Blanco, and their son Rafael Martín, whose initials give the collection its name. Started in the 1980s, it has established itself as one of the most important private collections in Spain and Europe, bringing together nearly 800 works by national and international artists such as Luis Gordillo, Jenny Saville, Bill Viola, Eric Fischl, Lisa Yuskavage, and Miquel Barceló.

The MER Foundation is currently working on the opening of a House Museum in Segovia, which will tell the story of the collection and position the city on the international contemporary art circuit.

Winner of the 2022 award

“Tio Hernan” by Studio Lenca, represented at UVNT 2022 by the Arniches 26 gallery.

The Kells Collection, created in 1996 by Juan Manuel Elizalde and Choli Fuentes, began with a focus on modern art, highlighting artists such as Feito, Saura, Clavé, and Baltasar Lobo. In 2004, it expanded its interest to contemporary art with the acquisition of its first work, initiating a continuous process of growth. It currently includes photography, video, installations, and objects of character.

With an eclectic vision, the collection reflects its passion for language and communication in various forms, and today it has several hundred works. It includes both emerging artists such as Juan López, Kepa Garraza, Blanca Gracia, and June Crespo, as well as established national (Juan Uslé, Carmen Calvo, Angela de la Cruz) and international (Richard Mosse, Liliana Porter, Sandra Gamarra, Tony Ousler) creators.

Winner of the 2022 award

“ST 02” by Amaya Suberviola, represented by SC Gallery at UVNT 2022

The KLASSE Awards are prizes given by businessman, collector, and patron Jaime Colsa to support artists' creativity and the educational work of art fairs. Jaime Colsa is the founder and CEO of the Palibex express transport network, a member of the 9915 Collectors' Association, and a founding partner of Club Matador.

Other artists who have previously received the KLASSE Award include David Martínez Suarez, Imon Boy, Samuel Salcedo, and Julio Galindo.

About the KLASSE Collection

The KLASSE Collection comprises around a hundred works by contemporary artists, mostly Spanish, including Juan Uslé, Rafa Macarrón, Abraham Lacalle, Ana Barriga, Manuel León, Juan López, Santiago Ydañez, Javier Calleja, Marina Vargas, Javier Arce, Clara Sánchez, Belén Rodríguez, Matías Sanchez, Gorka Mohamed, Cristina Lama, OKuda, and Eugenio Merino.

Alongside this private collection, Jaime Colsa promotes another public collection that aims to bring art to the streets so that as many people as possible can enjoy it, through the Truck Art Project and PBX Creativa cultural patronage and promotion projects.

2022 Award Winner

“Use Masks” by Imon Boy, represented at UVNT 2022 by La Causa Galeria.

The Casa de Indias collection is on permanent display in Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz, at the Contemporary Art Center that bears its name. It currently comprises more than 70 pieces of painting, sculpture, and photography, by both established artists such as Marina Abramovic, John Baldessari, and Imi Knoebel, as well as emerging and mid-career artists.

Casa de Indias also runs a non-profit artist residency program that aims to build bridges between new talent and the main distribution channels in contemporary art, as well as to encourage new collectors.

2022 Award Winners

“Fat Chance” by Scout Zabinski, represented at UVNT 2022 by the Adhesivo Contemporary gallery.

“Rata” by Miguel Ángel Erba, represented at UVNT 2022 by the Herrero de Tejada. 

S/T by Olga de Dios, represented at UVNT 2022 by the Swinton gallery.

Ceramics by Iván Forcadell represented at UVNT 2022 by Badr el Jundi.

Montresso Art Foundation* was established in Morocco in 2009 as a hybrid space dedicated to supporting creation and promoting diversity in contemporary artistic research.

Its artist residency, Jardin Rouge, has been accompanying international artists in their research for over a decade. With nine studios, it welcomes around thirty artists per cultural season in an environment conducive to experimentation and dialogue. Focusing on the theme of territories, Jardin Rouge acts as a creative laboratory that combines research time with opportunities for visibility.

2022 Winner Award

Rosh333, represented at UVNT 2022 by Garna Gallery.

The SOLO Collection is an international art project based in Madrid whose mission is to promote, support, and disseminate contemporary arts through collecting and patronage of current artwork. This creative endeavor was launched seven years ago by Spanish entrepreneurs Ana Gervás and David Cantolla, resulting in a collection of more than 800 works by both national and international artists, using a variety of techniques. Notable artists include Keiichi Tanaami, Kaws, Peter Saul, Ryan Heshka, Laurence Vallieres, Sergio Mora, D*Face, and Paco Pomet, among many others. In addition to a strong commitment to emerging talent and digital art.
 

Winner of the 2022 Award

“15.11.2021” by Iván Forcadell, represented by the Badr el Jundi gallery at UVNT 2022.

The Nadine Foundation works to create spaces for emerging artists to create and gain recognition by supporting their creative processes and maximizing their exhibition, production, and distribution capabilities.

From February 24 to 27, 2022, UVNT will present the sixth edition of the UVNT ART Fair at COAM. All artists exhibiting at the fair through their galleries will be eligible to apply for the award.

Production Award

The production award includes a 3-month residency in the city of Madrid during 2022, in a space to be chosen by the artist, support for the production of the final work, and an exclusive space to exhibit the work at the UVNT Art Fair 2023. In addition to promoting the work through audiovisual and graphic content, the prize will foster the foundation's artistic community by providing access to training and activities offered by the organization. Finally, the winner will receive €10,000. The work must address any theme that aims to promote reflection and dialogue around a social or environmental issue.

Acquisition Award

The Nadine Foundation will select one of the works exhibited at the fair, awarding an acquisition prize to the participating artists, who will become part of the founder's collection.

2022 Award Winners

Residency and Producition Award

Ela Fidalgo, represented by La Bibi Gallery at UVNT 2022.

Winners of the 2022 Acquisition Award 

“Lift up your world #2” by Daniel Fleur, represented by Wadström Tönnheim Gallery at UVNT 2022.

“Pinchazo obligatorio” by Iván Floro, represented by SC Gallery at UVNT 2022