Renowned Israeli artist Yaacov Agam will be honored with the 2026 Israel Prize for Visual Arts in the categories of painting, sculpture, and photography. Education Minister Yoav Kisch officially announced the prestigious award on Wednesday, highlighting Agam's seven decades of artistic innovation. The formal ceremony will take place in the evening following Israel's 78th Independence Day celebration, marking a significant milestone for the 97-year-old master of kinetic and optical art. The prize committee emphasized that Agam's work has resonated across both Israeli and international art scenes for over 70 years, fundamentally transforming how viewers experience visual art through movement and perspective.
The selection committee, chaired by Dr. Chaim Perluk and including Professor Gilad Dovshani and Dr. Nurit Sirkis-Bank, praised Agam for revolutionizing traditional visual art forms. In their official statement, they noted that Agam broke the boundaries of conventional visual art and pioneered entirely new languages in kinetic art and op art. His innovative approach centers on the concept of internal change, which occurs both within the artwork itself and through the viewer's shifting perspective. This dynamic interaction transforms static pieces into living experiences that evolve with time and movement, challenging the traditional notion that art must remain fixed and unchanging.
Among Agam's most celebrated public works is the iconic Fire and Water Fountain located in Tel Aviv's bustling Dizengoff Square, which has become a beloved landmark for residents and tourists alike. He also created Jacobs Ladder at Jerusalem's International Convention Center, a massive sculptural installation that demonstrates his mastery of spatial dynamics and viewer engagement. Additionally, the colorful seaside façade of the Dan Hotel in Tel Aviv stands as a testament to his ability to transform urban architecture into vibrant, interactive canvases. These public installations exemplify his philosophy that art should be accessible and integrated into daily life rather than confined to museums.
Agam's influence extends far beyond Israel's borders, with his works featured in major international institutions including the Guggenheim Museum in New York. He has also held significant exhibitions in Amsterdam and throughout France, where he lived and worked for many years, absorbing European artistic movements while developing his unique vision. His global recognition has made him one of Israel's most important cultural ambassadors, introducing international audiences to innovative approaches that blend visual and musical elements. The artist's creations move through space and time to reflect a dynamic, ever-evolving reality that mirrors the continuous creation and reshaping of the world around us.
The Israel Prize represents the highest cultural honor in Israel, and the committee's decision reflects Agam's profound impact on contemporary art theory and practice. His work expresses the fundamental belief that art must be in constant motion and transformation, just as reality itself is continuously being created and reshaped. This philosophy has influenced generations of artists who seek to break free from static forms and embrace temporal, interactive elements in their work. The prize not only honors Agam's past achievements but also recognizes his ongoing contribution to the global art conversation at an age when most artists have long since retired.
At 97, Agam continues to embody the spirit of innovation and creativity that has defined his entire career. His receipt of the Israel Prize serves as an inspiration to artists worldwide, demonstrating that artistic vision and productivity can flourish across a lifetime. The award ceremony will undoubtedly draw attention from the international art community, celebrating a career that has consistently pushed boundaries and challenged conventional wisdom about the nature of visual art. Agam's legacy is secure not only in the physical works he has created but also in the conceptual frameworks he has established for future generations of kinetic and optical artists.
