OTTAWA — Aamjiwnaang First Nation artist Nico Williams has won Canada’s top prize for contemporary visual artist.

The Sobey Art Prize recognizes Canadian visual artists whose work “reflects and speaks to our contemporary times on a national and global scale” and has a top prize of $100,000.

A press release states that Williams’ work centers on sculptural beadwork, uses everyday objects, and is able to “weave personal experiences into widely accessible narratives.”

The other preselected artists — Taqralik Partridge, Judy Chartrand, Rhayne Vermette, June Clark and Mathieu Léger — will each receive $25,000.

Prize organizers say the jury was made up of six Canadian artists, all former finalists or first-time Sobey Art Award winners.

Shortlisted works can be seen at the National Gallery of Canada until April 6, 2025.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published November 9, 2024.

The Canadian Press