Sim Marek's installation earned acclaim at the sixth Ordino Jardins d’Art for its innovative wall dialogue

Tunisian Artist Sim Marek Wins Top Prize at Ordino Jardins d’Art

Sim Marek takes the 3,000-euro main award in the sixth edition for a work praised for its conceptual depth and site-specific integration

A Tunisian artist, Sim Marek, received the top prize of 3,000 euros at the sixth edition of Ordino Jardins d’Art on Sunday. The Comú d’Ordino awarded the honour during a ceremony at l’Era del Raser, the same venue where the exhibition opened on Saturday midday.

The jury selected Marek’s entry after touring the works of all 18 participants on Saturday. They commended its conceptual interest, technical complexity, attention to detail, and seamless fit within the space. The piece stood out for creating a dialogue between surrounding walls and those incorporated into the artwork itself. Marek expressed surprise at the recognition.

Mònica Armengol, the Ordino councillor for culture, noted the work resonates with contemporary society. “It speaks to the city we live in today, challenges viewers, and provokes thought,” she said, adding that its small-scale interventions conveyed substantial meaning on mere fragments of wall.

The Comú also granted two 500-euro commendations to French artists Maryline Lièvre and Pascal Giudacelli. The Andorran Government presented a special 1,000-euro prize to another French participant, Robin Renaud.

Armengol praised the event’s success, citing strong public turnout, favourable weather, and well-suited spaces. This year marked a first: artists had to tailor proposals to specific sites, resulting in high-quality, integrated submissions. She highlighted the competition’s growing status, with repeat visitors eager to see new pieces beyond the market stalls. “People now ask each year how it works and return specifically for the contest entries,” she said, describing the event as fully established.

The jury faced a tough choice amid diverse, high-calibre entries from 60 initial submissions—originally narrowed to 20—featuring artists from Andorra, Spain, France, and Tunisia. Criteria included artistic and technical merit, innovation, surprise elements, and environmental harmony. Armengol acknowledged the difficulty in selecting just three standout works.