Judges and principals and the winner of the inaugural LUX Patina Art Residency. Top row from left: Christian Levett, Ilaria Ferragamo, Maria Sukkar, Shezad Dawood, Evan Kwee, Marie-Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre, Masha Nosova, Lexie Rodriguez. Crouching: Arturo Galansino and Darius Sanai
More than 100 of Europe’s most significant art patrons gathered at the London home of Maria Sukkar, LUX Senior Contributing Editor and Co-Chair of the TATE Middle East North Africa Acquisitions Committee, to celebrate the launch of the inaugural LUX Patina Art Residency.
The Residency, under the theme of Fluid Worlds, was awarded to London-based artist Shezad Dawood by Capella Hotel Group Vice Chair Evan Kwee. The prestigious prize was voted on by a jury of prominent art world figures, directed by by LUX Editor-in-Chief Darius Sanai, chaired by Maria Sukkar and including Christian Levett, Charlotte Colbert, Sana Rezwan, Hubert Bonnet, Marie-Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre, Sarah von Boetticher, Alan Lo, Christian Levett, Ilaria Ferragamo, and Masha Nosova.
Dawood will spend several weeks at Patina Maldives creating artworks in 2026, as the jury comes together to deliberate the next recipient of the award.
Pictured with work by Shezad Dawood: Lexie Rodriguez, Evan Kwee, Maria Sukkar, Shezad Dawood, and Darius Sanai
“I was honoured to chair the jury of the inaugural Patina Art Residency, a meaningful initiative that champions artists at a defining stage in their journeys. Their work, rooted in such attentiveness to our world, moved me profoundly and filled me with hope.”
– Maria Sukkar
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“Serving on the Patina Art Residency jury has been an honour. Each shortlisted artist revealed a fearless ability to push boundaries through bold experimentation, offering works that both challenge and connect. Together, they remind us of art’s enduring power to reimagine the world and make much needed change through vision, courage and possibility.”
– Sana Rezwan
Evan Kwee, on the right, is from the owning family of Pontiac Land in Singapore; the group also owns the Patina and Capella hotel groups. To his right is Maria Sukkar, our host for the night
“Art has the power to spark awareness and dialogue around the most urgent environmental challenges we face today. Supporting artists through initiatives like the Patina Art Residency ensures that creativity and responsibility go hand in hand.”
– Hubert Bonnet
“What moved me most was the energy and freedom of the artists. The works did not just tell stories but opened up spaces – fluid worlds that shifted our perception. For me, it was a powerful signal of how vibrant and relevant contemporary art is today.”
– Sarah von Boetticher
Warly Tomei, Azia Chatila, Ilaria Ferragamo and Véronique Namy
“It’s an honour to be invited to be a judge for the Patina Art Residency. Ocean health is of utmost importance, not just to the region but also to the global ecosystem, and the quality of submission is a testament to the impact this project is creating.”
– Alan Lo
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“The Patina Art Prize stands out this year as one that highlights the importance of addressing issues of sustainability, in a world where that faces significant political challenges just recently in that regard. One should commend all the brilliant artists that have taken part this year and the excellent artwork they’ve produced surrounding this subject.”
– Christian Levett
Darius Sanai, Maria Sukkar, and Dr Paul Ettlinger
“Art brings people together, engages their creative side and allows reflection and solace. To bring together leading art patrons to support art and artists at Patina is a great privilege, and a testament to the vision of Patina’s owners.”
– Darius Sanai
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“It was a fascinating and deeply inspiring experience to serve as a judge for the Patina Art Residency. The artists’ works truly captured our evolving bond with the natural world.”
– Ilaria Ferragamo
Woven work by Shezad Dawood
“Art is not mere adornment but a potent catalyst, serving as a nexus for discourse, bridging divides and uniting industries in shared purpose. This prize truly stands as a model for how targeted cultural initiatives can drive systemic change and interdisciplinary synergy. This convergence transforms passive appreciation into active stewardship, inspiring artists and audiences to collectively champion the preservation of our planet’s vital marine ecosystems.”
– Masha Nosova
The next edition of the LUX / Patina Art Residency will choose an artist to visit and create works at Patina Osaka, in Japan.
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