Provocative visual artist (and RISD honorary degree recipient [2002]) Ann Hamilton has just received the Heinz Award in the Arts and Humanities “for a body of work that has established her as one of contemporary art’s most influential voices”. Called by the Heinz Foundation “a dynamic tour de force,” Ann’s installations are labor intensive, participatory and constantly mesmerizing audiences: she has helped expand the way we have come to define and appreciate the arts in all its forms.

Among many other collections, Ann’s work is represented in the RISD Museum of Art, where she had a solo exhibition several years ago. And this year she was a surprise guest at RISD’s 2008 Convocation in September, where she led those gathered in a large call-and-response-style performance piece that was a hit of the unique ceremony.

Congratulations, Ann Hamilton!