Representing the practices of some of Canada's leading artists working in painting, performance, video, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, fine craft and film, a selection of some twenty-five works will be showcased in the Upper Contemporary Galleries until June 15, 2008.
This year's winners for artistic achievement are drawn from across the country, including British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and Nunavut. They are:
• Kenojuak Ashevak,
• Serge Giguère,
• Chantal Gilbert,
• Michel Goulet,
• Alex Janvier,
• Tanya Mars, and
• Eric Metcalfe.
Dr. Shirley Thomson, former director of the National Gallery of Canada, is also being honoured with a Governor General's Award for her contributions to the visual and media arts during her long and distinguished career in arts museums' governance and her key role in Canadian cultural organizations.
"These awards are an important forum for Canada's leading contemporary artists and present them on a national and international stage," said Mr. Pierre Théberge, Director of the National Gallery of Canada. "The Gallery is honoured to celebrate their achievements. We also congratulate Dr. Shirley Thomson who has devoted so much of her career to raising the profile of Canada's visual and media arts."
"This year's winners reflect the diversity of Canadian contemporary artists," said Josée Drouin-Brisebois, Curator of Contemporary Art at the National Gallery Of Canada. "The works selected in this exhibition are a remarkable testament to their innovative vision and multidisciplinary approach."
The Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts, which are funded and administered by the Canada Council, were first presented in March 2000 and have been hosted from the outset by the Gallery. The Canada Council is responsible for the awards and selects the winning artists. The Saidye Bronfman Award, which recognizes excellence in the fine crafts, is now incorporated into the Governor General's Awards and is funded by proceeds of a $1.5 million endowment given to the Canada Council by the Samuel and Saidye Bronfman Family Foundation in 2006. -- www.gallery.ca