The Hugo Boss Prize was established to recognize significant achievement in contemporary art. According to its criteria, this prize sets no restrictions in terms of age, gender, race, nationality, or media, and the nominations have included young, emerging artists, as well as established individuals whose public recognition may be long overdue. Until 2004 the winners have been:

1. 1996 Matthew Barney (USA) 2. 1998 Douglas Gordon (UK) 3. 2000 Marjetica Potrc-Kagiso (SL) 4. 2002 Pierre Huyghe (F)

Hugo Boss, one of the most renowned contemporary fashion concerns, now also has the reputation of being an art benefactor. The distinguished jurors of the prize in validating this charade of generosity perceive no incongruity, nor do the winners seem to be concerned that in accepting the award, they are turning a blind eye to history and the notorious activities of the fashion establishment Hugo Boss, that not only profoundly exploited its forced labour workforce, in the period from 1940-45 but was also actively involved in supporting the Nazi war machine.

Tanya Ury