Once again, the Victoria Arts Council is partnering with Salt Spring Island National Art Prize to exhibit the winners from the 15 categories of the biennale juried competition.
The exhibit opens with a 3 pm reception on January 15 at Victoria Arts Council, Main Gallery, 1800 Store Street.
SSNAP was established in 2015 to recognize, showcase and publicize the accomplishments of Canadian visual artists. Chosen from a pool of over 50 finalists, the 2021 grand prize of $20,000 was awarded to Vancouver photographer Kriss Munsya, who says his work “juxtaposes experiences of the past with desires of the future. It is a story of change and transformation that centres on a black man revisiting experiences that have been normalized in critical reflection of internalized supremacy. Things that at the time he thought were normal now have new meaning, and he wants to share the lessons within. He wants to erase those racially charged traumas to change his future. However, memory is not easy to manipulate! Digging into the past always brings up unexpected things.”
The exhibit at the VAC will include carving, photography, sculpture, installation and painting as well as drawing, and highlight the winners from various categories along with highlights from the Parallel Art Show that focuses on artists living and working in the Gulf Islands.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Victoria art audiences to see high caliber work from across the country,” states Kegan McFadden, executive director of the VAC
The partnership, now two years running, makes the VAC the only place on Vancouver Island where this exhibit can be seen. Following the Victoria presentation of these 15 artists, the show will tour to Vancouver.
Established in 1968, the Victoria Arts Council connects artists with audiences through exhibitions, publications, and the monthly lecture series Creative Mornings. The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 5 pm. Admission is by donation. For more information, please visit vicartscouncil.ca