Keisha Scarville Wins Brooklyn Museum's $25,000 Uovo Prize

Photographer known for work about diaspora and identity to receive commission and feature on Uovo's facade

Mar. 12, 2026 at 2:08pm

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Keisha Scarville, a photographer whose work explores themes of diaspora and identity, has been named the 2026 winner of the Brooklyn Museum's $25,000 Uovo Prize. As part of the award, Scarville will receive a commission from the museum and have her work featured on the facade of the Uovo art storage facility in Bushwick.

Why it matters

The Uovo Prize is a prestigious award that has helped elevate the careers of past winners, who have gone on to achieve greater success. Scarville's win highlights the Brooklyn Museum's commitment to supporting emerging artists and showcasing work that reflects the diverse cultural fabric of the borough.

The details

Scarville's upcoming presentation at the Brooklyn Museum, titled 'Where Salt Meets Black Water,' will feature vinyl reproductions of photographs from her 'Mama's Clothes' series, in which she donned the patterned textiles and garments belonging to her late mother Alma. The title is a reference to the dark creeks found in Scarville's parents' home country of Guyana. The exhibition, curated by Pauline Vermare, will be on view in the museum's plaza starting on May 8. Scarville is also preparing to publish a photo book with MACK.

  • Keisha Scarville was announced as the 2026 winner of the Brooklyn Museum's Uovo Prize on March 12, 2026.
  • Scarville's exhibition 'Where Salt Meets Black Water' is set to open at the Brooklyn Museum's plaza on May 8, 2026.

The players

Keisha Scarville

A photographer known for her work about people in diaspora and identities in flux, who has been named the 2026 winner of the Brooklyn Museum's Uovo Prize.

Brooklyn Museum

The art museum in Brooklyn, New York, that awards the annual Uovo Prize.

Uovo

An art storage company that sponsors the $25,000 Uovo Prize awarded by the Brooklyn Museum.

Pauline Vermare

The curator of Keisha Scarville's upcoming exhibition 'Where Salt Meets Black Water' at the Brooklyn Museum.

Anne Pasternak

The director of the Brooklyn Museum.

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What they’re saying

“Receiving the 2026 UOVO prize deeply affirms my creative journey. I have profound respect for all the previous recipients, so joining such an inspiring group of artists is an immense honor. Because I grew up in Brooklyn, this award feels especially meaningful, connecting my roots to my evolving practice. I believe it will open new possibilities, encouraging material exploration, collaboration, and experimentation. It also inspires me to deepen my connection within the community that shaped me.”

— Keisha Scarville (ARTnews)

“The presentation will act as a tribute to the Caribbean community whose creativity, traditions, and histories have profoundly shaped Brooklyn's cultural life.”

— Anne Pasternak, Director, Brooklyn Museum (ARTnews)

What’s next

Keisha Scarville's exhibition 'Where Salt Meets Black Water' is set to open at the Brooklyn Museum's plaza on May 8, 2026.

The takeaway

The Brooklyn Museum's Uovo Prize has a reputation for helping to elevate the careers of emerging artists, and Keisha Scarville's win continues this tradition. Her work, which explores themes of diaspora and identity, will now be showcased to a wider audience, further cementing the museum's commitment to supporting diverse artistic voices that reflect the cultural richness of Brooklyn.