The exhibition reflects all facets of contemporary art, from photographs to painting to video and sculpture. The work is personal, political, complex, and beautiful. It’s a collection of deep seeing and thinking, so important for our world today. Congratulations to all the artists selected.

I was recently in discussion with a significant curator, and she asked, “how is this work elevating the medium and pushing boundaries? Show me something new!” I thought it was an important question and consideration for this exhibition, as creating art in 2024 is filled will endless possibilities. More than ever, artists have become the important storytellers in this complex world we live in. Visual art, in its myriad forms, serves as a universal language. Art interpretation transcends the barriers of culture and language, offering a unique medium through which artists convey their stories. Visual art possesses the remarkable ability to communicate complex ideas, evoke emotions, and leave an indelible mark on the viewer.

As a juror, I look for unique and elevated approaches with more than one layer of articulation. The work needs to reveal a quality of expression that is poetic, magical, meaningful, and/or creative. Also, I am not only selecting single images, but also curating a collection of works into an exhibition that needs to feel fresh, have a strong point of view, and speak to art and storytelling in 2024.

— Aline Smithson