The William and Meredith Saunderson Prize for Emerging Artists

The 2022 laureates were selected by Dr. Heather Igloliorte. Among Dr. igloliorte’s many roles, let us cite art historian, curator, Tier 1 University Research Chair in Circumpolar Indigenous Arts, associate professor in the Department of Art History at Concordia University, Co-Chair of the Indigenous Advisory Circle for the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and Director of the Inuit Futures in Arts Leadership: The Pilimmaksarniq / Pijariuqsarniq Project (2018-2025). Dr. Igloliorte was the 2021 recipient of The Hnatyshyn Foundation’s Mid-Career Award for Curatorial Excellence in Contemporary Art.

The 2021 laureates were chosen by Emelie Chhangur , Exhibition Curator/Director of the Agnes Etherington Art Center, and 2020 recipient of The Hnatyshyn Foundation’s Mid-Career Award for Curatorial Excellence in Contemporary Art.

”I appreciate each of these artists for all their differences. They are the carriers of Canada’s art historical futurities. I am very honoured to have had the opportunity to do this work."

The 2020 laureates were chosen by Catherine Bédard, Exhibition Curator/Deputy Director of the Canadian Cultural Center, Canadian Embassy, Paris, and 2019 recipient of The Hnatyshyn Foundation’s Award for Curatorial Excellence in Contemporary Art.

”The three artists making this selection come from very different esthetic and conceptual backgrounds. What they have in common, though, is to propose a reflection on how we relate to the current world, on our relationship to the material, virtual and psychic environment. They come from elsewhere, which gives them a dimension that was of particular interest for me. Kuwait-born, Jude Abu Zaineh immigrated from Palestine and creates biotechnological art founded on food, sharing and recycling. Sam Bourgault, a mathematician and scientist, now conceives visual and sound worlds as sophisticated as they are disturbing, giving shape to technological eeriness. German-born, Marlon Kroll constantly crosses the boundaries between the creation of images and material objects, the world of contemporary music, and the conception of virtual environments, with a virtuosity and creative freedom which are in themselves a manifesto for "global circularity."

The 2019 laureates were chosen by Daina Warren, Curator, and 2018 recipient of The Hnatyshyn Foundation’s Mid-Career Award for Curatorial Excellence in Contemporary Art.

“It has been real honour to be a past recipient of the 2018 Hnatyshyn Foundation Awards, and even more of an honour to be asked to assist with the selection of some of this year’s 2019 recipients. It is my task to choose three amazing individuals that are emerging artists, fresh at the beginning of their careers. I am very happy to support these outstanding people with The William & Meredith Saunderson Prizes for Emerging Artists and looking forward to seeing what they all produce in the coming years.”

The laureates were chosen by a panel of art experts, including Brandy Dahrouge, Director of Visual Arts, Banff Centre; Dominique Fontaine Curator/Researcher/Cultural Advisor/Founding Director, aPOSteRIORI, Montréal; Stuart Keeler, Senior Art Curator for TD Arts, Global Corporate Citizenship; and Tania Willard, Curator, 2016 recipient of The Hnatyshyn Foundation’s Award for Curatorial Excellence in Contemporary Art. The Hnatyshyn Foundation would like to thank the jurors for their generous assistance.

"It was a pleasure to join this year's art panel to help the Hnatyshyn Foundation select the 2018 award recipients," says Stuart Keeler, Senior Art Curator at TD Arts, Global Corporate Citizenship. "The work and intention of the group selected will help increase access to Canadian contemporary art through new ideas and mediums that everyone can engage with and feel connected to."

The 2017 laureates were selected by a jury of arts professionals, including Andrea Fatona, curator and Associate Professor, Graduate Studies, Ontario College of Art and Design; curator John Hampton, of Brandon, Manitoba; and visual artist Jinny Yu, of Ottawa.

The 2016 laureates were selected by Candice Hopkins, 2015 recipient of the Hnatyshyn Foundation Mid-Career Award for Curatorial Excellence in Contemporary Art. Hopkins is a citizen of Carcross/Tagish First Nation, Yukon, and lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She was curatorial advisor for dOCUMENTA(14) opening in Athens, Greece and Kassel, Germany in 2017.

The 2015 laureates were selected by Daina Augaitis, 2014 recipient of the Hnatyshyn Foundation Mid-Career Award for Curatorial Excellence in Contemporary Art. Augaitis was Chief Curator and Associate Director at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

The 2014 laureates were selected by Marie-Josée Jean, 2013 recipient of the Hnatyshyn Foundation Mid-Career Award for Curatorial Excellence in Contemporary Art. Jean is a teacher, curator, and the executive and artistic director of VOX, centre de l’image contemporaine in Montréal.

2013 Adjudicator

Nicole Gingras

2012 adjudicator

Philip Monk