Ali Eyal wins the Hammer Museum's Mohn Award worth $100,000

Ali Eyal was honored with the Mohn Award at the opening of the exhibition Made in L.A. 2025 at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles. This award, valued at $100,000, is intended to recognize the impact of a contemporary artist whose work provokes deep reflection on social, political, and historical issues. Eyal's distinction comes in recognition of his work exploring collective memory, cultural fractures, and questions of historical reconciliation through large-scale installations and paintings.

The work that earned Ali Eyal this award is And Look Where I Went, an 84 x 144 inch oil painting on canvas. This work depicts a poignant scene near the 9/11 Memorial in New York. Through this painting, Eyal evokes an intense personal experience as he visited this memorial site he had long sought to avoid. The black void of the memorial's waterfalls becomes a metaphor for loss and oblivion, encompassing not only the tragic events of September 11 but also personal elements such as his work, his life, and his relationship with his father. The canvas illustrates how great collective tragedies are experienced at a deeply intimate and individual level.

Eyal also describes the moment when he undergoes an inner transformation, feeling like an "overwhelmed child" in an environment of shared sadness. The 9/11 Memorial becomes for him a place of confrontation with historical pain, where collective memory and personal memory meet. The artist imbues this scene with raw emotion, giving the viewer the impression of experiencing this moment alongside him.

The encounter with Rahman: a human connection
Beyond the commemorative scene, the work is also marked by an encounter with a hot dog vendor, Rahman, an Egyptian immigrant. As the artist seeks a moment of comfort in a quick meal near the memorial, he engages in a conversation with Rahman, who reveals his sadness related to his family remaining in Egypt. The exchange, although brief, highlights the universality of suffering and exile. The dialogue between Eyal and Rahman thus becomes another point of connection: although their experiences are different, their pains intersect in this place of memory. This encounter underscores the artist's approach, intertwining personal and collective stories to question the boundaries between individuals and communities.

Other distinctions at the Mohn Awards
In addition to the award given to Ali Eyal, two other artists were honored at the Mohn Awards ceremony. The Career Achievement Award valued at $25,000 was awarded to Carl Cheng, for his visionary contributions and historical significance in the field of art. Cheng, an artist known for his interdisciplinary explorations and engaging creations, has left his mark on the contemporary art scene.

The Public Recognition Award, also valued at $25,000 and chosen by museum visitors, was awarded to Greg Breda. This award highlights an artist whose work particularly resonated with the Los Angeles public, demonstrating the connection he has established with viewers.

The Mohn Awards, funded by philanthropists Jarl and Pamela Mohn, have supported artists since their inception in 2012. These awards aim to recognize excellence and innovation in the artistic field while providing laureates with significant visibility within the biennial exhibition at the Hammer Museum.