Indian sculptor Sajid Wajid Sheikh has been named the recipient of the Henry Clews Prize for 2026–2027, earning a year-long residency at the Château de La Napoule in southern France. Announced in April 2026, the award will culminate in a summer exhibition of new works and places Sheikh on a prominent international platform at a decisive moment for artistic exchange.
The Henry Clews Prize is aimed specifically at supporting sculptors and is hosted at the historic Château de La Napoule near the French Riviera. For an artist, a year in residence offers extended studio time, exposure to new audiences and collaborators, and the chance to develop work away from routine pressures at home.
- Artist: Sajid Wajid Sheikh
- Award: Henry Clews Prize 2026–2027
- Location: Château de La Napoule, France
- Duration: One year residency
- Outcome: New works presented in a summer exhibition
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Sajid Wajid Sheikh wins Henry Clews Prize, lands year-long Château de La Napoule residency
Sheikh’s selection highlights how international residencies can alter an artist’s trajectory—by generating critical visibility and fostering cross-border conversations about materials, techniques and themes. For institutions, such programs are a way to diversify their rosters and introduce audiences to perspectives they might not otherwise encounter.
Practical implications for Sheikh include direct access to exhibition opportunities in Europe and an extended period to experiment with scale and process. For the wider art community, the residency is a reminder that cultural exchange remains a central mechanism for career development and international dialogue.
Details about the specific schedule for the residency and the summer exhibition will likely be released by the Château and the prize organizers as the season approaches. Until then, the announcement marks a significant public recognition for Sheikh and draws attention to the continuing role of artist residencies in shaping contemporary sculpture.
