“The jury for the Dr A.H. Heineken Prize for Art has praised Erik van Lieshout's work for its radical, personal and confrontational nature. In his unique, tragicomic style, Van Lieshout puts his finger on what ails society. His work never flags, continues to grow and is pure: he is not out to preach. He enters into dialogue with groups who others often give a wide berth: ghetto-dwellers, junkies, drifters, and right-wing or left-wing extremists. He raises questions about drugs, sex, violence and overregulation. There is no taboo or danger that Erik van Lieshout tries to avoid; on the contrary, he makes a beeline for them and tries to find a dialogue.” states the Jury Report of the Heineken Prize 2018.

As part of the grant, Erik van Lieshout decided to develop a new project that, in line with his practice, involves the production of a film encircled by collages of drawings and paintings and reflects on Heineken itself.