We are proud to announce that three KABK alums — afra eisma, Sondi, and Malik Saïb-Mezghiche have been nominated for the The Volkskrant Visual Arts Prize 2026!
75% of the nominees are KABK alums
Three out of the four nominees are KABK alums, from various disciplines within the academy.
afra eisma (BA Fine Art 2017), uses ceramics and textiles to build colorful fantasy worlds. The viewer is often invited to interact with — and become part of — the artworks, where care and healing are paramount.
Sondi (BA Graphic Design 2021) creates soft and dreamy work with a message. Her practice draws inspiration from heritage, technology, the African diaspora, and resistance, and is realised through animations, games, installations, performances, and film.
In his work, Malik Saïb-Mezghiche, (BA Graphic Design 2021) shows that culture is not a luxury, but a part of everyday life. He creates illustrations, animations and films, with influences ranging from anime to hip hop and fantasy.
The fourth artist nominated is Levi van Gelder with the project Ötza, Uninterrupted.
20 Years of Volkskrant Visual Art Prize
This year De Volkskrant Visual Arts Prize celebrates twenty years of spotlighting young artists working across the Netherlands. The winning artist receives a jury prize of 10,000 euros, and there is also a public prize of 2,500 euros, both made available by the Schiedam-based De Groot Fund.
Every year an ever-changing group of art experts scout for talent. For this edition, the nominations were made by architect and visual artist Afaina de Jong, artist Joep van Lieshout, Director of Kunstmuseum Den Haag Margriet Schavemaker, and founder of Cultural Agency DAR Zineb Seghrouchni.
The four nominated artists for the sixteenth edition of the Volkskrant Visual Arts Prize present their work at Monopole from June 13 to August 2, 2026. The winner of the jury prize will be announced during the opening on Saturday, June 13, 2026.