The 2026 Sobey Art Award shortlist showcases the diversity of contemporary Canadian art. The finalists were announced by the Sobey Art Foundation and the National Gallery of Canada. Six artists from different regions made the cut.
The nominees for the award are 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 work across various mediums such as textile art, sculpture, installation, and filmmaking, with four of them incorporating elements from their Indigenous heritage.
Jonathan Shaughnessy, chair of the Sobey Art Award jury, praised the artists for their innovative transformations of materials that reflect personal, cultural, and historical experiences. The winner of the $100,000 grand prize will be announced on November 14 at a ceremony in Ottawa, following deliberation by a panel of curators and gallery professionals.
An exhibition featuring the finalists’ works will be held at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa starting on September 4. Tania Willard, a Secwépemc artist, was the recipient of the award last year. The Sobey Art Award, established in 2002, aims to elevate the voices of Canada’s most impactful artists, with the age restriction being lifted in 2021.
