Listen to this article
Approximately 3 minutes
The audio version of this article was created using text-to-speech, an artificial intelligence-based technology.
Tanya Willard is the 2025 Sobey Art Award recipient. The $100,000 award is the largest amount in Canada for contemporary art.
The award was presented Saturday evening in Ottawa at the National Gallery of Canada, which presents the award in collaboration with the Sobey Art Foundation.
Competing against artists from across the country, Willard was named a finalist for the Pacific region. The Secwepemc artist lives on the Neskonlit Nature Reserve in British Columbia's interior.
“It’s an incredible feeling to be recognized alongside all the artists shortlisted for this award,” Willard said in a statement. “I want to thank my husband, two sons and my entire family – my practice and my life are richer because of you. I want to thank my community and nation. [of] Secwépemc and all indigenous peoples for carrying our languages and knowledge despite the many challenges that continue today: our culture is our strength. I also want to thank the earth, all the lands that support us. I also want to advocate and encourage all people to spend time with the arts – we need more of it in our lives, especially now in the face of austerity and injustice around the world.”
WATCH | Sobey Art Award 2025 — Tanya Willard:
Jonathan Shaughnessy, director of curatorial initiatives at the National Gallery of Canada and chair of the 2025 Sobey Art Award jury, said in a statement:
“Tanya Willard's multifaceted practice, grounded in Secwépemc knowledge, values and aesthetics, challenges us to expand our understanding of contemporary art and the role of the artist. She picks berries for ink painting, uses wind and fire to compose poetry and opera, and builds worlds with her BUSH Gallery collaborators. In the face of instability, scarcity and conflict, her work offers a model of resilience, abundance and connection. Above all, she enhances the power of the earth.”
Runners-up Hangama Amiri (Atlantic), Tarralik Duffy (Polar), Sandra Brewster (Ontario), Swapnaa Tamhane (Quebec) and Chukwudubem Ukaigwe (Prairies) will each receive $25,000. The exhibition, which features work from all six finalists, will be on view at the National Gallery of Canada until February 8, 2026.
WITH longlisted artists The Sobey Art Award is one of the world's largest cash prizes for contemporary art, with each award receiving US$10,000. The total prize money is US$465,000.
Past winners include Brian Youngs, David Altmeid, Divya Mehra and 2024 recipient Nico Williams.
Read more CBC Arts coverage of the Sobey Art Awardincluding Q&A with the finalists.
Sobey Art Award Exhibition continues at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa until February 8, 2025.
