This news, though tardy, is particulary awesome, as the Palestinian conceptual artist leads the helm in the contemporary art scene.

In my recent paper I explored the doyens of the Palestinian art world, and Jacir was foremost among them.

Her work, a fusion of archives, documentation, interviews, and photography, brings a human edge that seeps into your subconscious and lingers long after the images have faded.

My personal favourite is Where We Come From, for which Jacir asked Palestinians around the world the question:  “If I could do something for you, anywhere in Palestine, what would it be?”

With answers as diverse as “play soccer with the first Palestinian child you meet in Haifa” to “go to my mother’s grave in Jerusalem on her birthday and put flowers and pray”, Jacir captured the sadness and tragedy of life in the diaspora.

Particularly moving is the latter request, for the respondent was not in Australia, or even Europe, but merely denied access to Jerusalem by Israeli authorities within Palestine.

Awarded the Biennial Hugo Boss Prize, the accolade stands in conjunction with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation that includes a $100,000 award and a solo exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum New York in 2009.

Given her admirable artistic endeavours, it is a splendid news that her skill and humanity has been acknowledged.

To find out more about Jacir’s work, click here.