Vagabond Art Club launched its inaugural, "hand-carry" size, Vagabond Art Prize this summer.
Candidates were French artists, or artists residing in France.
Theme : "Et soudain". Astonishment, temporality, ephemerality, the moment of rupture, surprise, the sudden intrusion of the unexpected, tipping points.
Max dimensions : 55 x 35 x 25 cm, max weight : 10 kg.
The winner and selected artists will exhibit their work at Galerie Gratadou in Paris, January 27 - 31, 2027, and will benefit from editorial exposure and dedicated coaching from the jury professionals.
For its first edition, the Prix Vagabond has as president of the jury and host Marais gallerist Christophe Gratadou.
The Vagabond Prize was awarded by an independent jury of sector professionals: gallery owner Christophe Gratadou, writer Kate van den Boogert, collector Christophe Billard (Les Amis d'IDEM), curator Joanna Cohen, artist Christine Rebet, lawyer Caroline Delaude, and Vagabond founders Waiming Lung and Damien Brachet.
Out of 75 artists, the jury, in a true blind test - unaware of their identities, selected 6 finalists, and 1 winner.
Winner: Didier Merlin
Rien ne sert de courir - 2026
Engraving and reverse painting on PET
Finalists:
Triomphe du Végétal - 2026
Acrylics and inks on paper, 42 x 29.7 cm
Un Joli Petit Sujet - 2021
Wood, ceramic, metals, 38 x 35 x 25 cm
and Sophie Jollain
The group exhibition will run January 27-31, 2027, followed by a solo exhibition of the winner, Didier Merlin, February 2-7, 2027.
