To Whom It May Concern;

2021 was an incredibly challenging year, by far the hardest of my life. On April 7th of 2021, I lost my wife, Nadia Toscano. I still can’t find words that adequately put my pain in context - she was 27 years old and she was my world. When my brother, Fernando Toscano, took his own life in 2018, I thought long and hard about how to best honor his memory and possible ways to serve a greater good. This prize was one of the outcomes of those reflections on life and loss. 

The loss of my wife makes me aware that I have to double down on this commitment. That suicide and mental health struggles have become a bigger issue today than ever before; that during a time of isolation, lockdowns, and what the world has been facing with COVID-19, mental health advocacy and suicide prevention are of the highest priority.

My goal for the Borlem Prize is to announce each year’s winner in the month of September - during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. I hope to be forgiven for missing this desired deadline for 2021, it was simply too emotionally difficult to finalize this inaugural prize on the timeframe that I wanted.

For 2022, Alex Gartenfeld, artistic director of the ICA/Miami, will be shortlisting the candidates for the prize - the 2022 laureate will be chosen by the vote of the artistic board (more members will be announced soon).

Thank you for reading, thank you for your time; may Nadia rest in peace; may Fernando rest in peace. 

Roberto Toscano/Executive Chairman