OTTAWA - Aamjiwnaang First Nation artist Nico Williams is taking home Canada's richest prize for contemporary visual artist.
The Sobey Art award recognizes ´ºÉ«Ö±²¥ visual artists whose work "reflects upon and speaks of our contemporary moment nationally and globally" and has a top prize of $100,000.
A news release says Williams' work is centred around sculptural beadwork, and takes everyday objects and is able to "weave personal experiences into broadly relatable narratives."
The other shortlisted artists — Taqralik Partridge, Judy Chartrand, Rhayne Vermette, June Clark, and Mathieu Léger — will each receive $25,000.
The award organizers say the jury was comprised of six ´ºÉ«Ö±²¥ artists, all former Sobey Art Award finalists or winners, for the first time ever.
The shortlisted work can be viewed at the ´ºÉ«Ö±²¥ Gallery of Canada until April 6, 2025.
This report by ´ºÉ«Ö±²¥was first published Nov. 9, 2024.
