Yasmeen Lari Source:&nbsp Anam BaigRoyal Gold Medal winner Yasmeen Lari has turned down a $100,000 arts prize from Israeli non-profit organisation the Wolf Foundation, citing continuing genocide in Gaza The Wolf Prize recognises exceptional individuals in the arts and sciences with a medal of honour and $100,000 prize money.Announcing her decision on Instagram after the latest recipients were named on 10 March, the 2023 RIBA Gold Medal winner stated that she could not accept the award or prize money, even from an organisation that is independent of the [Israeli] government.She added: All violence is unacceptable to me on any side of a conflict and Ive spent much of my life helping refugees, albeit climate migrants, and Gaza is unfortunately now one of the worst situations in terms of displacement.AdvertisementThe Wolf Prize, now in its 47th year, is awarded annually to acknowledge outstanding achievements in either the arts or sciences.The Wolf Foundation was founded in 1975 with an endowment from the family of German-born inventor and philanthropist Ricardo Wolf and his wife, Francisca, to celebrate outstanding contributions to humanity through the arts or sciences.The only other architect to receive a Wolf Prize this year was Chinese architect Tiantian Xu, for her architecture that transformed villages throughout China economically, socially, and culturally. Awards were also given for achievements in physics, medicine, agriculture and chemistry.Nearly 400 previous recipients of the Wolf Prize have included British architect Ralph Erskine in 1984, for his fundamental contribution to contemporary architecture, Guggenheim designer Frank Gehry in 1992, for his architecture as art and sculpture, and David Chipperfield in 2010, alongside Peter Eisenman, for his contemporary interpretation of Classical architecture.Lari, Pakistans first female architect, was featured in a 2023 AJ article discussing her journey from Brutalist starchitect to trailblazing humanitarian activist.AdvertisementThe 84-year-old left mainstream architecture practice in 2000 to dedicate herself to designing accessible, zero-carbon construction techniques for communities displaced by the impact of climate change.Laris 2023 RIBA Gold Medal recognised her robust, intelligent yet simple, architectural designs that allow those who are in distress to build for their own needs.The AJ has contacted Yasmeen Lari and the Wolf Foundation for further comment.View this post on InstagramA post shared by Yasmeen Lari (@barefootsocialarchitecture)Yasmeen Lari 2025-03-19Anna Highfieldcomment and share TagsYasmeen Lari