Dian Suci Wins Max Mara Art Prize: A Historic Achievement
By Darren Smith, Arts Reporter
May 8, 2026
VENICE — Indonesian multimedia artist Dian Suci has been named the winner of the 10th edition of the Max Mara Art Prize for Women (2025–2027), marking a historic moment as the prize enters its new nomadic phase with Southeast Asia as its first destination.
The announcement was made on Thursday evening during a ceremony at the Serra dei Giardini in Venice, coinciding with the opening of the 2026 Venice Biennale. Jury chair Cecilia Alemani, alongside representatives from Max Mara, Collezione Maramotti, and Museum MACAN, praised Suci’s compelling practice that bridges the personal and the political.
Born in 1985 in Kebumen and based in Yogyakarta, Dian Suci (full name Dian Suci Rahmawati) creates across installation, painting, sculpture, and video. Her work powerfully examines how domestic experiences intersect with state political power, patriarchy, capitalism, and authoritarianism. Drawing deeply from her life as a single mother, Suci transforms everyday rituals into sites of resistance and reflection.
“I am deeply honored,” Suci said in a statement. Her practice often incorporates elements of craft, ritual, and traditional Indonesian textiles, reimagining them to critique broader societal structures. Recent works, such as those shown at Sharjah Biennial 16, highlight the domestic sphere as both a stage for ideological reproduction and quiet defiance.
The prize, established to support emerging and mid-career women artists, offers a six-month traveling residency in Italy. Suci will develop a new body of work to be presented in a solo exhibition at Museum MACAN in Jakarta in summer 2027, followed by a presentation at Collezione Maramotti in Reggio Emilia, Italy, where the institution will acquire a piece. This marks the first time the prize is hosted in Southeast Asia, underscoring the growing global recognition of Indonesian contemporary art.
Jury members, including Museum MACAN director Venus Lau, curator Amanda Ariawan, gallerist Megan Arlin, artist Melati Suryodarmo, and collector Evelyn Halim, selected Suci from a strong shortlist featuring Betty Adii, Dzikra Afifah, Ipeh Nur, and Mira Rizki. Alemani highlighted the depth and urgency of Suci’s voice in addressing contemporary issues through intimate narratives.
This award arrives at a pivotal time for Indonesian art on the international stage. Suci’s win not only celebrates individual achievement but also spotlights the vibrant Yogyakarta scene, known for its blend of tradition and bold experimentation.
Dian Suci’s practice continues to evolve, challenging viewers to reconsider the boundaries between private life and public power. As the nomadic prize travels the globe in future editions, her success sets a compelling precedent for cross-cultural dialogue in contemporary art.
Art enthusiasts and collectors are encouraged to follow Suci’s journey and visit the upcoming exhibitions at Museum MACAN and Collezione Maramotti. Learn more about the Max Mara Art Prize for Women and explore Dian Suci’s portfolio to witness the next chapter in her remarkable career. Support women artists by attending local exhibitions and engaging with platforms that amplify diverse voices in contemporary art.
