Contemporary art in Canada is vividly showcased through the 2026 Sobey Art Award shortlist recently unveiled by the Sobey Art Foundation and the National Gallery of Canada. The finalists, representing various regions, have been selected from a group of talented artists. The nominees for this prestigious award include Melaw Nakehk’o from the Circumpolar region, Samuel Roy-Bois from the Pacific region, Audie Murray from the Prairies region, Lotus L. Kang from the Ontario region, Caroline Monnet from the Quebec region, and Shane Perley-Dutcher from the Atlantic region.
These artists exhibit a diverse range of artistic disciplines such as textile art, sculpture, installation, filmmaking, and more. Notably, four out of the six artists draw inspiration from and explore their Indigenous heritage in their art. Jonathan Shaughnessy of the National Gallery of Canada, who chairs the Sobey Art Award jury, praised the artists for their innovative use of materials and their deep connection to personal, cultural, and material histories.
The winner of the $100,000 grand prize will be announced on November 14 at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa after deliberation by a jury of curators and gallery professionals. Prior to the winner’s announcement, a group exhibition featuring the finalists’ work will be on display starting September 4 in Ottawa.
Last year’s recipient of the Sobey Art Award was Tania Willard, known for her land-based art practice. Previous winners include renowned artists such as Brian Jungen, Divya Mehra, Nico Williams, and Abbas Akhavan, who represented Canada at the Venice Biennale. Established in 2002, the Sobey Art Award previously had an age limit but removed it in 2021, aiming to provide a platform for Canada’s most significant artistic voices.