UK visa problems for arts prize nominees

March 11 2010 by Liam Clifford

Two artists from Kyrgyzstan who have nominated for the prestigious Artes Mundi prize may be unable to attend the ceremony in Wales's capital city of Cardiff after being refused UK visas.

Gulnara Kasmalieva and Muratbek Djumaliev have made a series of videos that convey the effects of political and economic unrest in their former communist country. Their work has been shortlisted for the prize from 480 nominations from artists representing 80 countries. The prize is worth £40,000.

The UK Border Agency explains that the UK visa rejection could be attributed to something simple like errors on forms. A spokesperson stated, “the responsibility rests with applicants to show they meet the criteria for the type of entry clearance they have applied for”. However, UK visa applications are also often rejected because UK immigration officials fear the applicants intend to continue living in the UK or working in the UK illegally.

The Artes Mundi Prize was launched in Wales in 2003 and runs every two years. The artists shortlisted have had their work shown in an exhibition at the National Museum of Cardiff, which will run until 6 June.

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