Today's Read Contributor Art Basel Miami Beach 2025 was abuzz with excitement as emerging artists Rhea Dillon and Joyce Joumaa were awarded the prestigious Baloise Art Prize. The prize, one of the most coveted recognitions in the contemporary art world, was presented during the opening of the Statements sector of the fair. Dillon and Joumaa’s works were selected not only for their innovative use of form and material but also for their profound engagement with social and political themes.
The Baloise Art Prize is aimed at supporting the careers of emerging artists. This year’s awards were particularly notable because both Dillon and Joumaa brought fresh perspectives to the world of sculpture. Dillon’s “Leaning Figures,” a series of large-scale sculptures made from reclaimed metal and industrial materials, evokes a sense of vulnerability amidst strength. The sculptures depict contorted, leaning human figures—witnesses to and survivors of societal upheavals. Dillon’s pieces explore themes of trauma, resilience, and the fragility of the human experience in a world that often values strength over vulnerability.
Joyce Joumaa’s installation, “Soft Opening,” also showcased at Art Basel 2025, was equally captivating. Joumaa used a combination of textiles and found objects to create a space that appears both inviting and unsettling. The installation’s fragility contrasted with the aggressive scale of Dillon’s sculptures, yet both pieces tackled similar themes of identity and the tension between the personal and the political. Joumaa’s use of fabric as a metaphor for the body and its intricate connection to power structures resonated with viewers, inviting them to reflect on their own relationship with their physical and social environments.
Both artists were awarded CHF 30,000, which will go toward funding future projects, and the chance to exhibit their works at future Art Basel events. The Baloise Art Prize is not only an endorsement of their current artistic practices but also an investment in their futures as major figures in the global art scene.
Art Basel Miami Beach 2025 has been hailed as a cultural renaissance, especially for emerging artists. The inclusion of both Dillon and Joumaa in this year’s prestigious fair further validates the importance of Art Basel as a platform for new and unconventional voices in contemporary art. This is especially significant in a time when the art world is experiencing a dramatic shift. The economic challenges and cultural shifts brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have led many galleries and institutions to seek out new and diverse voices, creating space for a broader range of perspectives to be heard.
In addition to their success at Art Basel, Dillon and Joumaa’s works will be featured in several upcoming exhibitions across Europe and North America. Dillon, whose previous exhibitions have taken place in London, Paris, and New York, is poised to become a major figure in the contemporary art world. Joumaa, who has exhibited in Beirut, Paris, and Berlin, is gaining international attention for her nuanced approach to sculpture and installation art.
The Baloise Art Prize’s history of supporting artists who push the boundaries of art-making has made it one of the most respected awards in the field. Previous winners include well-known figures like the Swiss artist Valentin Carron and the American sculptor Charlie Godet Thomas, whose works have gone on to be featured in museums and collections worldwide.
This year’s winners exemplify the next wave of artistic innovation, reflecting a growing trend of artists using materials and mediums that challenge traditional notions of what art can be. Dillon and Joumaa’s works, with their complex emotional and social resonances, reflect a deep understanding of the role of contemporary art in confronting societal issues and expressing the lived experiences of marginalized communities. The significance of their award cannot be overstated, as it marks a turning point in the art world’s embrace of diverse, boundary-pushing practices.
Art Basel Miami Beach continues to stand as a beacon of contemporary art, attracting a global audience of collectors, curators, and art lovers. With the inclusion of powerful emerging voices like Dillon and Joumaa, it is clear that the fair is committed to ensuring that the future of art remains dynamic, inclusive, and thought-provoking.
