ArtVerona: Zana Masombuka Awarded the Zenato Academy Prize
The award was presented to the young artist as an example of contemporary African art committed to preserving the history of her country through a personal narrative.
On the occasion of ArtVerona (October 9–12, 2025), one of Italy’s leading art market fairs, the Zenato Academy Prize for Contemporary Photography was awarded to artist Zana Masombuka, presented by Cellar Contemporary Gallery in Trento.
The jury—composed of Nadia Zenato, CEO of Zenato Winery and promoter of the Prize, Luca Panaro, Artistic Director of Zenato Academy, and Alberto Fiz, art critic—selected three works by Zana Masombuka as exemplary of contemporary African art dedicated to transmitting the history of her country through a personal narrative. Stories of past and present intertwine to reimagine the future of her people. The photographs, not without a sense of irony, draw inspiration from the artist’s childhood in the rural region of KwaNdebele, in a small village called Siyabuswa, examining themes of modernity, technology, and ritual, while remaining deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of her community.
The Zenato Academy Prize aims to promote young Italian and international artists under 40 who work through the photographic medium, through the acquisition of works that become an integral part of the Zenato Academy art collection.
“The decision to establish this Prize,” states Nadia Zenato, “arose in 2019 from the desire to enhance contemporary language through emerging realities, thereby supporting young talents who experiment with photography and collaborating with institutions and galleries engaged in research-driven practices.”
This year as well, Zenato supports the Verona fair as Wine Sponsor, reaffirming its commitment to the arts and culture: “ArtVerona,” continues Nadia Zenato, “is for us a valuable space where new ideas and collaborations take shape and, at the same time, a unique opportunity to promote the cultural richness and beauty of our territory, which we proudly represent around the world.”
Over the years, the Prize has led to the acquisition of works by various artists—including Daniela Droz, Carola Allemandi, Enrico Smerilli, Giacomo Erba, Lu Yidan, and Dario Picariello—which have become part of the Zenato Academy collection.
