First Baker Tilly Artist Scholarship 2025 awarded at KIT

The Baker Tilly Artist Scholarship, which will be awarded to artists in a total of two exhibitions in 2025, is aimed at young artists who are studying or have studied at the Düsseldorf Art Academy or another art college and who generally graduated no more than five years ago. The Artist Scholarship was established in 2008 by the international consulting and auditing firm Baker Tilly, which is committed to promoting art as well as working on projects for children and young people. With this scholarship, Baker Tilly specifically supports the work of young artists. The jury members are: Rüdiger Reinke (Baker Tilly), Gertrud Peters (KIT – Kunst im Tunnel) and Prof. Udo Dziersk (Düsseldorf Art Academy).

Zauri Matikashvili impressed the jury with his profound works, which calmly demonstrate what identity means and how societies function in detail.

In his work “You May Not Want To Be Here” (2024–25), Zauri Matikashvili uses imagery and installations to explore his own body, its function and dysfunction, and its existence and transience. 

His second work at KIT, the film “Made in Europe” (2023), is dedicated to his father. Here, the artist combines autobiographical filmmaking with sociological reflection by telling a story that stands for many others. 

At KIT, Zauri Matikashvili's works can be seen alongside works by artists Yedam Ann, Jakob Schnetz, Rebecca Ramershoven, and Jan Niklas Thape in the exhibition “HUMAN WORK” until October 5, 2025, at KIT in Düsseldorf.