Interactive Art Installation Wins The Christo Award 2025 For Reimagining Cultural Memory

Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), in partnership with Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), has announced the winning project for The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award 2025.

The winner of the thirteenth edition of The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award is Hannan Arshad under the mentorship of Assistant Professor at the College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) at the American University of Sharjah (AUS), Christianna Bonin. Hannan is a UAE-based Indian artist and graphic designer, who explores storytelling through materials, fabrication, and historical research. Focused on political dialogue and cultural memory, her work includes installation, print and digital media, film, and photography.

Her interest in Mughal history and materiality began during visits to the Raza Library in Rampur and the Bada Imambara in Lucknow. It later developed into Safekeeping Stories during her senior studio with Assistant Professor Amparo Baquerizas Carreras, at AUS. The project has since expanded to encompass larger sculptural and architectural references along with imagery, and text, reimagining the past as something tactile, participatory, and alive.

Safekeeping Stories is an interactive installation that aims to preserve the Mughal architectural and cultural knowledge. The artist recreates traditional Lakhori bricks, alongside nearly-forgotten brick and mortar Mughal techniques, that incorporate edible materials. Each brick is etched with the artist’s own interpretation of Mughal miniature paintings, which transforms a historical building block into a medium for visual and written archiving. The bricks are arranged to resemble a library, inviting viewers to engage with history by physically removing each “book” from the structure.

Inspired by the urgent need to protect cultural heritage from political and environmental threats, the project highlights the contemporary relevance of historic building practices. The artist plans to expand the installation and collaborate with communities in the UAE and beyond, using art to spark conversations around memory, identity, and preservation.

Her Excellency Huda Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and Abu Dhabi Festival, said: “Under the generous patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, and through ADMAF’s partnership with NYU Abu Dhabi, The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award continues to celebrate the artist’s legacy by honouring winners in the creative industries, supporting innovation in the fields of fine arts, sculpture and public art.”

H.E. continued: “We congratulate Hannan Arshad, the winner of the Award, now in its thirteenth year, under the supervision of Assistant Professor Christianna Bonin from the College of Architecture, Art and Design at the American University of Sharjah. We commend her focus through her winning work, “Safekeeping Stories,” on documenting the rich history of human civilisations, and her dedication to studying and preserving endangered cultural and architectural knowledge, and attempting to revive it through environmentally and nature-friendly building practices.”

“The continuation of civilization and the renaissance of humanity are based on our appreciation of our cultural memory and heritage, and our celebration of its tangible and intangible masterpieces, from sculpture and architecture to customs, traditions, and values. By preserving them throughout history, we inspire generations, express our close connection to the past and our hopeful outlook on the future,” H.E. concluded.

Executive Director of The NYUAD Art Gallery and the University’s Chief Curator Maya Allison added:“Safekeeping Stories exemplifies the power of art to bridge memory, place, and material tradition. At the NYUAD Art Gallery, we are committed to nurturing emerging artists through mentorship and resources that help bring ambitious ideas to life. This installation is a poignant response to cultural loss, and a compelling example of how historical narratives can be reimagined through contemporary public art.”

The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award Director Emily Doherty commented: “We couldn’t be more delighted to welcome Hannan Arshad as winner of The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award 2025. There was strong competition among the shortlisted proposals; every year, the standard of applications is increasingly elevated. But ultimately, the Selection Committee was captivated by her beautiful and thoughtful work. Hannan now enters the production part of her artistic journey with the full support of the professional curatorial, technical, and logistics teams at the NYUAD Art Gallery, along with her nominated mentor, Dr. Christianna Bonin at AUS. We are looking forward to unveiling Safekeeping Stories at the entrance to Abu Dhabi Art in November this year.”

This year’s selection committee convened in Abu Dhabi to select a winner. On the panel were HE Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo; Maya Allison, Executive Director of The NYUAD Art Gallery and Chief Curator; Dyala Nusseibeh, Director of Abu Dhabi Art; Azza Al Qubaisi, Emirati Jewelry Artist, Product Designer and Sculptor; Awam Amkpa, Dean of Arts and Humanities and Professor of Drama, Social and Cultural Analysis at NYUAD; and guest jurorNadine Maalouf, Vice Chairwoman of Design Council Abu Dhabi and Advisory Committee Member of the NYUAD Art Gallery.

Running annually since 2013 under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, presented by NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), in partnership with Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, and produced in collaboration with the NYUAD Art Gallery, The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award serves as a launch pad for artists across the Emirates. It encourages new artwork and offers winners insight into professional life as an artist, from commission to exhibition. The program is open to UAE-based students and recent graduates.