Gish Prize goes to Shirin Neshat

Iranian-born visual artist Shirin Neshat was named Friday to receive the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize, one of the largest arts awards, in recognition of her explorations of Islam and gender relations. Neshat will receive a silver medallion and about $300,000 on Oct. 12 at the Hudson Theatre in New York City, where scenes from her feature film work will be screened.

The Gish Prize, established in 1994 by the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize Trust, pays tribute to artists who have “made an outstanding contribution to the beauty of the world and to mankind’s enjoyment and understanding of life.”

Among past recipients are Peter Sellars, Ornette Coleman, Arthur Miller and Frank Gehry.

Dorothy and Lillian Gish, of stage and early film fame, left the bulk of their estates to the arts, including a trust for the formation of the Gish Prize.

Lynn Heffley