Isabella Panigada is an author, art theorist, and cultural producer. She studied art and design at the Free University of Bolzano and earned her master’s degree in art history and media philosophy at the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design (HfG Karlsruhe).

During the graduation ceremony on October 12, 2026, the HfG graduate was also awarded the DAAD Prize. The DAAD Prize recognizes and honors the commitment of international students at German colleges and universities.

In her master’s thesis, Panigada analyzed the concepts of monstrosity and abjection in the work of Niki de Saint Phalle. Her research and writings explore the intersections between art, the body, and language, with a particular focus on feminism, queer and decolonial theory, and border studies. Another strand of her work lies in art education: In Bolzano, she contributed to the development of educational programs at institutions such as the Museion and the Antonio Dalle Nogare Foundation.

As a student at the HfG, she organized film nights, initiated social events for international students, and, together with others, founded the BIPoC group at the HfG to create spaces for exchange and community among international students.

The HfG Karlsruhe congratulates her on earning her diploma and on winning the DAAD Prize!