**Brian Jungen: Recipient of Prestigious Canadian Art Award Celebrated by The Art Newspaper**

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september 29, 2025

Brian Jungen Receives Canada’s Prestigious Audain Prize for Visual arts

Vancouver, British Columbia – Artist Brian Jungen has been honored with the 2025 Audain Prize for the Visual Arts, a significant recognition of his groundbreaking work. The award, valued at C$100,000 (approximately $71,700 USD), was presented during a ceremony at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on Friday, September 26th.

A Ceremony bridging Traditions

The award presentation blended diverse cultural elements. A bagpiper led the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, Wendy Cocchia, into the historic Pacific ballroom, while a Native elder offered a traditional Coast Salish welcome as guests enjoyed a meal featuring pacific salmon. This juxtaposition symbolized the core themes explored within Jungen’s artistic practice.

The Art of Transformation and Cultural Dialogue

Jungen, whose ancestry is a blend of dane-Zaa First Nations and Swiss heritage, is renowned for his sculptures crafted from everyday objects – Nike Air Jordans, sports apparel, and plastic materials. his innovative approach creates a powerful dialogue between Indigenous and settler cultures, challenging perceptions of cultural appropriation and identity in an increasingly globalized world. He previously received the inaugural Sobey Art Award in 2002 and the Gershon iskowitz Prize in 2010.

The Audain Prize: Elevating British Columbia’s Artists

Established in 2004 by Michael Audain, the audain Prize is presented annually by the whistler, British Columbia-based Audain Art Museum.It aims to spotlight and elevate the work of artists originating from British Columbia. An autonomous committee selects the recipient each year.

A gathering of artistic Luminaries

The ceremony attracted a distinguished group of past Audain Prize winners, including Chief James hart, Ian Wallace – a former teacher of Jungen’s – and Stan Douglas. Reid Shier, director of the Polygon Gallery and a member of the jury, hailed Jungen’s work as “imaginative, unpredictable, and hauntingly evocative” during the presentation. Jungen, in turn, gifted Michael Audain with a pair of beaded moosehide moccasins created by a family member.

A Continuing Legacy of Impact

“recognizing Brian Jungen with the 2025 Audain Prize is a true honor,” stated michael Audain, chairman of the Audain Foundation. “Since the late 1990s, Jungen’s artistic influence has grown internationally, and we are committed to supporting and promoting artists of his caliber, not only within British Columbia but also on a global stage.”

From Early Influences to Recent Works

Jungen reflected on his artistic journey during the event, recalling his arrival in Vancouver in 1988 and his exposure to conceptual art at the Emily Carr School of Art and design. Initially supporting his practice through work at Canada Post, he transitioned from painting and drawing to sculptural work after a residency at the Banff Center. His groundbreaking series, Prototypes for New Understanding (1998-2005), propelled him to international recognition.

Resilience and Renewal after Loss

Four years ago, Jungen experienced a significant loss when a wildfire destroyed his ranch and archive, containing approximately 900 boxes filled with his work. fortunately, much of his earlier work had been preserved through a donation by Bob Rennie to the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa.

A Return to Hands-On Creation

Currently residing in a cabin in Moberly Lake, Northern British Columbia, Jungen has embraced a renewed focus on direct creation. he is now crafting arrows from wood and carbon fibre, inspired by his archery practice and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. He expressed a desire to “get back to making things with my own hands.”

The Growing Recognition of Indigenous contemporary Art

The awarding of the Audain Prize to Brian Jungen is indicative of a broader trend within the art world – an increased appreciation for and recognition of Indigenous contemporary artists. This shift reflects a growing understanding of the crucial perspectives and contributions these artists bring to global artistic discourse. According to a 2023 report by Artnet, sales of works by Indigenous artists have increased by 38% over the past five years, demonstrating a rising market interest and demand.

Frequently Asked Questions about brian Jungen and the Audain Prize

• What is Brian Jungen known for? Brian Jungen is celebrated for his sculptures that repurpose common objects, like Nike Air Jordans, to explore themes of Indigenous identity and cultural exchange.
• What is the audain Prize? The Audain prize is a C$100,000 award presented annually to a British Columbia visual artist by the Audain Art Museum.
• What materials does Brian Jungen typically use in his artwork? He frequently uses nike sneakers, sports uniforms, and other mass-produced items in his creations.
• Where is brian Jungen currently living and working? He currently lives and works in Moberly Lake, northern British Columbia.
• Has Brian Jungen received other significant awards? Yes, he is also a recipient of the Sobey Art Award and the Gershon Iskowitz Prize.

What aspects of Brian Jungen’s work resonate most with you, and why?

how do you think art can help bridge cultural divides and foster understanding?