History of the art prize:
The ‘Henriettenglück’ art prize, which is dedicated to the history of the Ruhr region, was launched in 2014 to mark the opening exhibition of the Atelierhaus Recklinghausen in the former Königschule in the König Ludwig district.
The title of the art prize refers to the original name of the local colliery. It was initially called Henriettenglück, in reference to Princess Luise Henriette von Oranien, who later became the wife of the Great Elector of Brandenburg. In gratitude to the King of Bavaria, who gave his consent to the Prussian Emperor Wilhelm when the German Empire was founded, the mine was subsequently renamed “König Ludwig”. The word “Glück” (happiness) in connection with a colliery was presumably also associated with the miners’ “Glück Auf” (good luck).
Since 2022, the “Henriettenglück” art prize has been supported by the Cultural Foundation of Sparkasse Vest Recklinghausen. The art prize is endowed with €1,000. In addition to the prize money, the winner receives a solo exhibition and a catalog for the exhibition in the coming year. A maximum of three artistic works can be submitted for the title “Seilfahrt”. The prize is awarded to artists who have a connection to the Ruhr region.
Topic in 2025:
In mining, the term “ropeway” refers to the transportation of people in a shaft using a pit cage suspended from a rope. “Rope rides” are not only available vertically downwards or upwards, but also as a crossing aid, e.g. over a river to another landscape or upwards from the valley station to the mountain top and make people’s mountain dreams come true all year round. A rope ride into the shaft of a mine takes you into the dark – to the site of coal mining – but also back into the light.
Rope journeys thus lead to a place of fulfillment, a place of hope or a place of longing. The participating artists will explore the various aspects of “Seilfahrt” and can interpret the theme of “Seilfahrt” in painting, photography, media art, sculpture, object art or installation.
Closing date: April 22, 2025