News item | 17-11-2022 | 1:00 pm
Writer Arnon Grunberg has received the Johannes Vermeer Prize 2022 from State Secretary Gunay Uslu for Culture and Media. The Johannes Vermeer Prize is the Dutch state prize for the arts. The jury, led by Andrée van Es, calls Grunberg a ‘strong thinker and a courageous writer’, who is one of the most versatile and influential artists of our time.
State Secretary Uslu: “Arnon Grunberg gives himself wholeheartedly to literature, and actually to everything he does. That dedication is contagious. Moreover, his work disrupts, it keeps you sharp. With his literary analyzes in all forms, he looks at things from his own, original perspective, from Grunberg’s world. It was about time that a writer should win the Johannes Vermeer Prize. And as far as I am concerned, it is quite right that Arnon Grunberg is the first. ”
The jury, chaired by Andrée van Es, unanimously chose Arnon Grunberg. “An author who questions urgencies and themes in the social debate in his own unique way, showing an unbiased interest in the intentions of others. Someone who moves along so-called boxes or political trends and who plays an inspiring role for young artists. As a writer he has his own inimitable voice: after three sentences you know he is speaking, and that is a rare quality.”
Dutch State Prize for the Arts
The Johannes Vermeer Prize is the Dutch state prize for the arts, which is awarded annually, and consists of 100,000 euros in addition to a trophy. The winner can spend that money on a special project in his or her field of work. The Dutch government established the prize in 2008 to honor and encourage exceptional artistic talent. It can be awarded to artists from all artistic disciplines working in the Netherlands.
Previous winners are visual artist Natasja Kensmil, opera director Pierre Audi, filmmaker and writer Alex van Warmerdam, photographer Erwin Olaf, visual artist Marlene Dumas, architect Rem Koolhaas, graphic designer Irma Boom, composer and director Michel van der Aa, visual artist and film director Steve McQueen, fashion designer Iris van Herpen, violinist Janine Jansen, theater maker Ivo van Hove and photographer Rineke Dijkstra.