The four-month initiative highlighted emerging talent across nine nations, including Poland, Hungary, and Serbia. A jury led by National Gallery Prague’s Michal Novotný, MoMCA director Branka Bencic, and ZDSLU curator Olga Butinar Čeh evaluated the monthly winners to determine the final selection. Bokova’s practice—which fuses porcelain with organic elements like wax and wood—impressed the panel for its conceptual depth and technical precision.
Marie Bokova Wins BE OPEN Regional Art Central Europe Competition
From the studios of Prague to the galleries of the Balkans, the BE OPEN Regional Art competition has concluded its Central European stage. Marie Bokova, a ceramics student at UMPRUM, secured the top honor, earning a 500-euro grant for her sculptural work exploring the intersection of human history and natural decay.
Alongside the top prize, the competition recognized Bogdana Peric Milenkovic, Helena Mirich, and Lorena Iavorschi with honorary mentions. Additionally, Elena Baturina selected Prague-based painter and animator Ester Nemjo for a special award, citing her dreamlike narratives that delve into themes of motherhood and transformation. Following this regional survey, the BE OPEN Art platform will shift its focus to East Asia for the next phase of the 2026 competition cycle.
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