About Artes Mundi

The first Artes Mundi exhibition in 2004 attracted a record number of visitors to the National Museum Cardiff. The second international exhibition presented new and existing work by some of the world's most exciting and significant artists.

Exploring and commenting on society and their perspectives on real and imagined worlds and cultures, the exhibition included paintings, humorous drawings and sculptures, compelling and photographic images and fictional films.

The eight shortlisted artists were all concerned with ideas of the human form or human condition and produce work which adds to our understanding of humanity.

They were selected by two international curators, Deepak Ananth, a Paris-based, Indian art historian and curator of modern and contemporary art, and the Brazilian curator, critic and writer Ivo Mesquita - a leading figure in the Latin American visual art world.

In all, Artes Mundi comprises a major exhibition at the National Museum Cardiff, a lively public event and education programme, a partnership with the BBC producing several television documentaries as well as a conference and publication.