#Paris #France #Xie Lei #Marcel Duchamp Prize #ADIAF

Xie Lei Awarded 2025 Marcel Duchamp Prize

On October 23, 2025, the iconic Marcel Duchamp Prize celebrated its 25th edition at the esteemed Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris. Xie Lei emerged as the honored recipient, a recognition of his significant contributions to contemporary art among a shortlist of four exceptional artists.

The Marcel Duchamp Prize, established by the Association for the International Diffusion of French Art (ADIAF) in 2000, serves to elevate the recognition of French art on the global stage. The initiative was born out of an urgent need, as recognized by French collector Gilles Fuchs, to revive the international standing of French artists, particularly during the 1990s when their prominence was waning.

This year’s prize winners were not only evaluated for their artistic merit, but also for their ability to engage audiences with contemporary themes. The jury celebrated Xie Lei's artwork, which straddles the lines between dreams and reality, urging viewers to slow down in an age of rapid visual consumption. Thierry Ehrmann, Founder of Artprice and CEO of Artmarket.com, commended the creativity and diversity showcased in this year's nominations, underscoring the collective strength of the contemporary French art scene.

The significance of this prize has grown over the years, establishing it as a critical marker in contemporary art, akin to the Turner Prize in the UK and the Hugo Boss Prize in the US. Each year, the winner of the Marcel Duchamp Prize receives a monetary award of €35,000, alongside invaluable support from various institutions aimed at boosting international visibility for their work. This year, past winners like Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster and Kader Attia were also acknowledged for their journeys, which flourished post-receipt of the prize.

Beyond financial acknowledgment, the Marcel Duchamp Prize acts as a major springboard into the global art market. The 2025 finalists—a diverse group exploring rich themes—were Bianca Bondi, Eva Nielsen, and Lionel Sabatté, each with distinct artistic visions. Bondi, representing the gallery Mor Charpentier, addresses the ephemeral with installations that evoke forgotten memories. Nielsen manipulated materials to delve into image and surface, producing art that blurs the lines between literal and abstract.

Lionel Sabatté, whose work includes unique dust drawings created from collected materials, reminds us of the fragility inherent in existence. All finalists brought compelling narratives that dialogue with contemporary concerns, making the choice of Xie Lei especially poignant.

Born in 1983, Xie Lei's paintings are steeped in introspection and enriched by influences from literature and cinema. His approach embodies a deceleration of time and a careful meditation on how images persist in contemporary society. Observing his work, Fabrice Hergott, Director of the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris, remarked on its powerful representation of the 21st century, encapsulating feelings of transformation and uncertainty brought on by global events.

This special edition was marked by a shift in venue, moving the exhibition from the traditional Centre Pompidou to the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris due to ongoing renovations, which provided an exciting opportunity to rethink exhibit arrangements.

As the ADIAF celebrates its commitment to showcasing this dynamic art scene, which increasingly intertwines international influences with a distinct French identity, the 2025 Marcel Duchamp Prize serves both as a milestone for the featured artists and as a beacon for the future of contemporary art in France. The exhibition featuring the nominated artists remains open to the public until February 22, 2026, inviting all to discover the diversity and vitality of contemporary art during this remarkable time.