NEW YORK – The Museum of Cycladic Art (MCA) in Athens was honored with the Youniversal Award for its exhibition Picasso and Antiquity: Line and Clay at this year’s 6th annual Global Fine Art Awards (GFAA) on May 11.

The MCA exhibition ran from June 20-October 20, 2019 and included 68 rare ceramics and drawings by the iconic Pablo Picasso, featuring birds, animals, sea creatures, humans, and mythological beasts (centaurs, the Minotaur), some inspired by ancient drama and comedies, presented for the first time with 67 ancient works, creating another “Divine Dialogue” between Greek antiquity and modern art.

Sandra Marinopoulou, President of the Museum of Cycladic Art, said in the press release on May 12, “The Museum of Cycladic Art is its people: not only those who work in it, but especially all those who respond to our every invitation. Because every creative effort acquires importance and reason of existence only with the acceptance of the public. In the unprecedented conditions we have been living in for the last few months, everyone close to the Museum has embraced each of our new proposals. Even if our communication at this time is limited to the digital world, the response is always moving and very encouraging.

“The tremendous response from the public voting in the Global Fine Art Awards for the most popular exhibition was another example of this two-way relationship that we look forward to continuing closely when the doors of the Museum reopen. A big thank you to all of you who voted for us, but also to those who worked with dedication and enthusiasm for the realization of the exhibition Picasso and Antiquity: Line and Clay.”

The GFAA program presented online the list of winners for its sixth edition- juried from 99 nominees represent works on six continents, in 27 countries and 74 cities.

The culmination of the year-long process to discover the best curated art and design exhibitions took place on May 11 in celebration of all the nominees with the presentation of the winners via a GFAA Facebook event at 1 PM.

The Museum of Cycladic Art exhibition Picasso and Antiquity: Line and Clay was honored with the Youniversal award at the 6th Annual Global Fine Art Awards. (Photo by Paris Tavitian)

GFAA conducts extensive year-round research of curated exhibitions and installations across the globe, designating awards for group and themed exhibitions, as well as awards for solo artist shows. Exemplified by the two newest awards launched in 2017 – Global Planet and Global Humanity, GFAA is determined to continue to illuminate the best works produced every year voicing the connection of art and global concerns.

GFAA Judges selected thirteen winners – one in each of the following award categories: Contemporary and Post-War- solo artist; Contemporary and Post-War- group or theme; Impressionist and Modern- solo artist; Impressionist and Modern- group or theme; Renaissance, Baroque, Old Masters and Dynasties- solo artist; Renaissance, Baroque, Old Masters and Dynasties- group or theme; Ancient Art; Photography; Design; Fringe; Public Art, and the new awards that premiered last year – Global Planet and Global Humanity.

The two final awards, Youniversal, won by MCA’s Picasso and Antiquity this year, and YOU-2 are given to the most popular nominees, and are selected by public voting on the GFAA website and social media.

Launched in 2014 by Judy Holm, The Global Fine Art Awards (GFAA) are the first annual awards ever created to recognize the best curated art and design exhibitions and installations worldwide. The GFAA program honors innovation and excellence in exhibition design, historical context, educational value and public appeal. The program’s mission is to develop interest and passion for fine art, and further its educational role in society. GFAA endeavors to be the premier global art and design award program and to elevate the importance of fine art in the world today.

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis was also nominated in the Youniversal category for its exhibition, Treasures of Ancient Greece: Life, Myth and Heroes.

More information about the Global Fine Art Awards is available online: http://globalfineartawards.org.