Six artists have been shortlisted for the 2026 Sobey Art Award, showcasing the diversity of contemporary art in Canada. The finalists were announced by the Sobey Art Foundation and the National Gallery of Canada. Representing different regions across the country, the nominees 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 work in various mediums such as textile art, sculpture, installation, and filmmaking, with four of them exploring themes related to their Indigenous heritage. Jonathan Shaughnessy of the NGC, who chairs the Sobey Art Award jury, praised the artists for their innovative use of materials and their deep personal and cultural connections evident in their artworks.
The winner of the $100,000 grand prize will be announced on Nov. 14 at the NGC in Ottawa after deliberation by an independent jury. Prior to the announcement, a group exhibition featuring the finalists’ work will be held at the gallery starting on Sept. 4.
The Sobey Art Award, established in 2002, was originally limited to Canadian artists under 40 but removed the age restriction in 2021. It aims to provide a platform for prominent artistic voices in Canada. Past winners include Tania Willard, Brian Jungen, Divya Mehra, Nico Williams, and Abbas Akhavan, who represented Canada at the Venice Biennale in 2015.