LEONARDO DREW

This year’s Joyce Alexander Wein Prize has been awarded to American artist Leonardo Drew, whose selection of recent sculptural installations were exhibited at VIGO gallery between 12 October and 11 November, 2011. The announcement was made by Thelma Golden, Director and Chief Curator of The Studio Museum in Harlem, on the evening of Monday 24 October, at the museum’s annual Gala. Raymond McGuire, head of global banking at Citigroup, presided over the event which was held at Cipriani Wall Street, New York.
 
Joyce Alexander Wein (1928 - 2005) was a dedicated Trustee of The Studio Museum for ten years, and along with her husband, George Wein, amassed a substantial collection of African American paintings and drawings. Joyce was known for her philanthropic achievements and personal involvement in supporting living artists. In 2006, George Wein established the Joyce Alexander Wein Prize in honour of his late wife. The annual prize, which includes $50,000, is given to one African American artist whose body of work exhibits great innovation, promise and creativity. Previous recipients include Leslie Hewitt (2010), Glenn Ligon (2009), Nadine Robinson (2008), Trenton Doyle Hancock (2007) and Lorna Simpson (2006).