Sean Kelly congratulates Julian Charrière on being named as a recipient of the inaugural Eric and Wendy Schmidt Environment and Art Prize, awarded by the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. This new award, which will be given biennially, was launched by philanthropists Eric and Wendy Schmidt to recognize artists whose work addresses critical ecological issues and fosters creative engagement on topics like climate change and environmental justice.
In its first year the award will go to two artists, Julian Charrière and Cecilia Vicuña, each artist will receive $100,000 and institutional support from MOCA to develop a commissioned project addressing the critical intersections of art, climate change, and environmental justice. Initially intended for a single artist, the five-person jury ultimately selected both Charrière and Vicuña, recognizing their unique but complementary perspectives. Eric and Wendy Schmidt generously agreed to fund two prizes, allowing each artist to receive the full amount.
The commissioned works by Charrière and Vicuña are scheduled for presentation at MOCA in 2026, underscoring the museum's dedication to fostering dialogue around environmental issues through contemporary art.
“The Schmidt Prize is a testament to the power of art to provoke dialogue and inspire action around the most critical issues of our time,” said Johanna Burton, Maurice Marciano Director of MOCA. “Julian Charrière and Cecilia Vicuña are two extraordinary artists who have dedicated their careers–and lives–to illuminating the connections between environmental degradation and cultural memory. Their visionary practices, which engage deeply and distinctly with history, materiality, and society, help to reshape the way humans consider our relationships with the natural world.”
“I am deeply honored to receive the inaugural Eric and Wendy Schmidt Environment and Art Prize from MOCA. Through its Environmental Council established in 2020, MOCA continues to affirm its position as a leading institution fostering critical discourse on environmental issues,” said Charrière. “This prize, in collaboration with Eric and Wendy Schmidt, reinforces the museum’s commitment to supporting artists who engage with these pressing questions. I’m excited to embark on this journey, allowing me to further explore how art can shape conversations on climate and sustainability—themes that have always been central to my work.”
For information about the prize, please visit moca.org
For information about Julian Charrière, please visit skny.com
For press inquiries, please contact Adair Lentini at Adair@skny.com
For all other inquiries, Lauren Kelly at Lauen@skny.com