OTTAWA – British Columbia-based Tania Willard is taking home Canada’s richest prize for contemporary visual artists.
Willard was announced the winner of the Sobey Art Award at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa Saturday evening.
A news release says Willard’s work weaves intergenerational knowledge of Secwépemc aunties in homage to their skills and innovation.
The Sobey Art award recognizes Canadian visual artists whose work “reflects upon and speaks of our contemporary moment nationally and globally” and has a top prize of $100,000.
The other shortlisted arists – Tarralik Duffy, Chukwudubem Ukaigwe, Sandra Brewster, Swapnaa Tamhane and Hangama Amiri – each receive $25,000.
The award organizers say the jury was composed of six Canadian artists, and the shortlisted work is on display at the National Gallery of Canada until Feb. 8, 2026.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2025.
