Join us as we honor Rosana Paulino, recipient of the 2025–2027 Jane Lombard Prize for Art and Social Justice, for her artist book ¿História Natural?. The book and the prize exhibition at The New School trace the artist’s critical examinations of the entanglements between science, race, knowledge, and power. 

The celebrations begin with an award ceremony, presenting Paulino with the prize object, Yoko Ono’s limited edition sculpture The Third Eye, with a welcome from university president Joel Towers and an introduction by Carin Kuoni, VLC Senior Director/Chief Curator.

For the keynote conversation, Paulino is joined by philosopher and artist Denise Ferreira da Silva and curator Diane Lima, who nominated Paulino for the prize and is the curator of the Brazilian Pavilion at the current Venice Biennale, featuring Paulino. Hosted by Kuoni, they discuss their ongoing collaboration and distinct projects of Black feminist intellectual thought, situating Paulino’s artistic practice in relation to broader inquiries into epistemic violence and the role of art in challenging its effects.

The presentation is followed by the annual VLC Community Dinner. This year’s edition, Dream Futures, extends the festivities into the night with a free dinner and party for all—celebrating Paulino, the Jane Lombard Fellows, VLC Forum participants, and our friends and communities. 

The Vera List Center Forum 2026: Matter of Intelligence is presented as part of the VLC’s 2025–2027 Focus Theme Matter of Intelligence. It is curated by Carin Kuoni and Eriola Pira and convened with the support of Tabor Banquer, Re’al Christian, and Adrienne Umeh.