The Art Circle Award 2026, supported by Alserkal, announced Vinicius Libardoni as the winner of its sixth edition at a ceremony held at Alserkal Avenue last night, 11 November 2026. Representing Brazil and Italy, Libardoni was recognised for Traces of Loss (2026), a work examining the relationship between memory, architectural heritage and the passage of time.
Working at the intersection of printmaking, architecture and sculpture, Libardoni transforms traces of forgotten and demolished structures into poetic visual narratives. Traces of Loss invites viewers to reflect on loss, memory and the enduring presence of the built environment.
“It has been incredibly rewarding to see The Art Circle Award grow over the years, welcoming an ever more diverse and inspiring range of artists, perspectives and creative voices. This diversity is what makes each edition so special.” said Barbara Farahnick-Mathonet, Founder & President of The Art Circle.
“These awards are a reminder of the importance of investing in artistic practices and taking a long view on supporting practitioners’ development. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of seeing how a careful approach to patronage can foster evolution in artistic practices,” added Kevin Jones, artistic director of Alserkal and jury member of The Art Circle Award 2026.
The Art Circle (TAC) Award 2026 centres its sixth edition on the theme “on mending… when the breaking is still happening”. The initiative offers artists based in the UAE a platform to engage with curators, cultural leaders and art institutions while considering the role of creative practice in times of disruption.
Rather than framing mending as complete restoration or an erasure of damage, the edition asks how art can acknowledge fractures and continue to create. Artists were invited to interpret mending through personal and political, intimate and collective experiences, considering what it means to mend a city, a body, a community or a planet while breaking continues.
The sixth-edition open call, which closed on 10 September 2026, was open without an entry fee to UAE nationals and residents aged 18 and above. Eligible submissions were paintings and mixed-media works, excluding digital techniques, measuring between 40 and 80 cm per side. Further information is available at https
