Revered Vancouver photographer Fred Herzog, who shot images of the city for decades before becoming internationally recognized in his senior years, is the winner of this year’s Audain Prize for Lifetime Achievement in the Visual Arts.
“I have been taking photographs while walking the streets of Vancouver on my own for over fifty years, so it is very meaningful for me to receive this important recognition in the company of my peers,” Herzog said in an email.
Herzog will receive the 12th such prize since the award’s founding by collector and patron Michael Audain and his foundation. It comes with an award of $30,000. The award always goes to a senior BC artist; past winners include Rodney Graham, Jeff Wall and Liz Magor.
“I am thrilled to be in the ranks of the few recipients of this award, and wish to express my gratitude to the members of the selection committee who have honoured me with their vote,” Herzog added. “Michael Audain’s generosity to the cultural community in British Columbia is limitless and I thank him for encouraging artists.”
For more information about Herzog, check out Timothy Taylor’s in-depth profile of the artist from our Winter 2012 issue.
Skeena Reece and Mina Totino are each recipients of the VIVA Award, granted annually by the Jack and Doris Shadbolt Foundation to BC artists of exceptional ability and commitment.
Skeena Reece is a Tsimshian/Gitksan and Cree artist based on the West Coast of British Columbia. She has gained national profile in recent years as one of the talents in “Beat Nation,” a touring exhibition on hip-hop and Aboriginal communities. Her multidisciplinary practice includes performance art, spoken word, humor, “sacred clowning,” writing, singing, songwriting and video art. She studied media arts at Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design and in 2010, she performed at the 17th Biennale of Sydney, Australia.
Born in Sudbury, Vancouver artist Mina Totino graduated from Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design in 1982. She received great acclaim when her work was included in the Vancouver Art Gallery’s “Young Romantics” exhibition in 1985. Best known for her work in painting, Totino has has been exhibited widely, appearing in solo and group exhibitions in Montreal, Toronto and Berlin. She has curated notable painting shows, most recently at Equinox Gallery.
A ceremony honouring Herzog, Reece and Totino will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15 in the Great Hall of the BC Law Courts building in downtown Vancouver.
