Anna Ridler and Sofia Crespo: Artist of the Year 2025
By Darren Smith, Arts Reporter
July 21, 2026
In a landmark moment for the evolving world of digital art, British artist Anna Ridler and Argentine artist Sofia Crespo have jointly claimed the Artist of the Year category at the prestigious Arab Bank Switzerland (ABS) Digital Art Prize 2025. This recognition celebrates their groundbreaking collaborative work that masterfully blends analog traditions with cutting-edge artificial intelligence, offering profound reflections on humanity’s relationship with nature and technology.
The ABS Digital Art Prize, launched in 2023 as the world’s first major institutional award dedicated to on-chain and digital artists, continues to gain prominence as a benchmark for innovation in the field. This year’s edition drew entries from across the globe, highlighting the prize’s role in bridging traditional art institutions with the dynamic Web3 ecosystem. Ridler and Crespo’s win underscores a maturing digital art scene where conceptual depth and technical excellence take center stage over fleeting hype.
Their partnership, which began in 2023, fuses Ridler’s pioneering explorations of data and machine learning with Crespo’s investigations into biological systems and AI. A standout piece, Snapshots Orchids, employs early photography techniques alongside AI-generated imagery to question how screens and lenses mediate our view of the natural world. The work has been exhibited at high-profile venues including Paris Photo 2023 and Frieze London, earning acclaim for its emotional resonance and intellectual rigor.
Anna Ridler has long been a trailblazer at the intersection of art, data, and ethics. Known for hand-crafting datasets to train AI models, her practice exposes biases embedded in technology while producing visually compelling outputs. Her works have graced institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum, Barbican Centre, Centre Pompidou, and Ars Electronica. Ridler’s thoughtful approach has positioned her as a leading voice in discussions about responsible AI use in creative fields.
Sofia Crespo, based in Lisbon, draws parallels between historical scientific tools like microscopes and modern neural networks. Her art probes how technology reshapes our understanding of biology and reality itself. With exhibitions at Art Basel, the V&A Museum, and MAC Lyon, plus lectures at MIT and Oxford, Crespo brings a global perspective that enriches collaborative projects like this one.
The jury, comprising luminaries such as curator Alejandro Cartagena, Breezy Art founder Eleonora Brizi, and ABS Managing Director Rani Jabban, praised the duo’s “visually elegant and emotive” contributions that push innovation boundaries. Jury President Sébastien Montabonel highlighted the increasing competitiveness of the prize, noting how Ridler and Crespo’s work stands out for its conceptual strength and execution. “Their contribution to the space stands out with concepts and execution that are not just visually elegant and emotive but also at the cutting edge of innovation,” he stated.
This victory comes with tangible benefits: the artists will receive significant networking opportunities, including a solo show or exhibition at a major cultural institution within the next 12 months. Their winning works will further elevate the visibility of digital art within traditional circles, where institutional acceptance has grown steadily since the early NFT boom.
The prize also recognized emerging talent, awarding Cezar Mocan the inaugural Emerging Artist of the Year for World Upstream, a generative film in a game engine that explores leisure in an AI-driven future. This new category reflects the prize’s adaptability to the rapid evolution of digital practices, with over 120 applications from 38 countries demonstrating remarkable diversity.
Arab Bank Switzerland’s commitment to digital art stems from its broader role as a patron bridging finance and culture, particularly in the digital asset space. Managing Director Rani Jabban emphasized, “Digital Art is the future of Art,” citing growing interest among younger clients and the high quality of submissions. Previous winners include Swiss artist RVig in 2024 and Iranian-American artist Marjan Moghaddam in 2023, building a legacy of supporting forward-thinking creators.
In the broader context of Web3 art, this award signals continued institutional validation amid market maturation. While speculative NFT frenzies have cooled, projects emphasizing utility, storytelling, and technological integration—like Ridler and Crespo’s—thrive. Their success encourages artists to experiment boldly while collectors and institutions seek works with lasting cultural impact. It also highlights how collaborations across geographies and disciplines can yield fresh perspectives in an increasingly interconnected creative landscape.
Critics and enthusiasts alike view the ABS Prize as a vital platform that demystifies digital art for traditional audiences. By focusing on on-chain elements and ethical considerations, it fosters a healthier ecosystem less prone to volatility and more attuned to artistic merit. Ridler and Crespo’s win not only honors their individual trajectories but also amplifies the collective narrative of digital art’s legitimacy and potential.
As the art world navigates AI advancements, blockchain provenance, and shifting audience expectations, moments like this remind us of creativity’s enduring power. Ridler and Crespo exemplify how artists can harness new tools without losing sight of human essence—themes of nature, perception, and technology that resonate universally.
For those inspired by this milestone, explore the artists’ portfolios and consider supporting emerging digital creators through platforms championing innovation. Visit the ABS Digital Art Prize page to learn more about past winners and submission details for future editions. Discover Ridler and Crespo’s collaborative works at Sofia Crespo’s site, and follow developments in the space via leading outlets like nft now. Engage with exhibitions, collect thoughtfully, and contribute to the conversation shaping art’s digital frontier. The future of creativity is unfolding now—be part of it.
The cover image in this article was AI-generated.
