Artist Prizes

Each Biennial, TBA awards prizes to recognize exceptional contributions made by participating artists. Each prize winner receives a cash award. These prizes provide vital support to established and emerging artists alike in furthering their creative practice and increasing global recognition for their work.

2022 Prizes

Artist Prize – Camille Turner
Emerging Artist Prize – Aycoobo / Wilson Rodríguez
Programs Prize – Ange Loft and Derya Akay
Audience Prize – Lawrence Abu Hamdan

The 2022 Artist Prize and Emerging Artist Prize recipients were selected by a distinguished jury of art professionals including Michelle Jacques (Chief Curator, Remai Modern); Dr. Julie Nagam (Artistic Director of Toronto Nuit Blanche 2020 and 2022); and Lisa Steele (Canadian artist, innovator in video art, educator, curator, and co-founder of Vtape). The Audience Prize was selected by popular vote by Biennial visitors and the Programs Prize was selected by a committee of Biennial staff.

The 2022 Toronto Biennial of Art Prizes were generously supported by the Hal Jackman Foundation, Eleanor and Francis Shen, the DH Gales Family Foundation, David and Dawn Beswick, Jay Smith and Laura Rapp, and the J.P. Bickell Foundation.

Image of works by Camille Turner
Camille Turner, Nave, 2022. Installation view at Small Arms Inspection Building, Toronto Biennial of Art 2022. Photography: Toni Hafkenscheid. Commissioned by the Toronto Biennial of Art.
Image of works by Aycoobo
Aycoobo / Wilson Rodríguez at Arsenal Contemporary Art Toronto, Toronto Biennial of Art 2022. Installation view. Documented: Conexión; El Bastón; 4 elementos del origen, 2019-2021. Photography: Toni Hafkenscheid. Courtesy of the artist and Instituto de Visión, Bogotá.
Derya Akay, Queer Dowry: Sikma Gunu, May 3–5, 2022. Program held at Small Arms Inspection Building as part of Toronto Biennial of Art 2022. Photography: Rebecca Tisdelle-Macias.
Derya Akay, Queer Dowry: Sikma Gunu, May 3–5, 2022. Program held at Small Arms Inspection Building as part of Toronto Biennial of Art 2022. Photography: Rebecca Tisdelle-Macias.
Ange Loft with Jumblies Theatre & Arts, Dish Dances Movement Workshop, a Talking Treaties movement education initiative, May 21, 2022. Program held at Fort York National Historic Site as part of Toronto Biennial of Art 2022. Photography: Rebecca Tisdelle-Macias.
Ange Loft with Jumblies Theatre & Arts, Dish Dances Movement Workshop, a Talking Treaties movement education initiative, May 21, 2022. Program held at Fort York National Historic Site as part of Toronto Biennial of Art 2022. Photography: Rebecca Tisdelle-Macias.
Image of works by Lawrence Abu Hamdan
Lawrence Abu Hamdan, 45th Parallel. Installation view at Mercer Union, Toronto Biennial of Art 2022. Courtesy the Artist. Photography: Toni Hafkenscheid.

2019 Prizes

Artist Prize – Abel Rodríguez
Emerging Artist Prize – Hera Büyüktaşçıyan
Honourable Mention – Althea Thauberger + Kite

The 2019 Toronto Biennial of Art jury included:

  • Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev – Director, Castello di Rivoli Museo d’Arte Contemporanea, Turin, Italy;
  • Mark Godfrey – Senior Curator of International Art, Tate Modern, London, United Kingdom;
  • Brian Jungen – artist, Vernon, British Columbia, Canada;
  • Meg Onli, Assistant Curator, ICA Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States; and
  • Kitty Scott – Carol and Morton Rapp Curator, Modern and Contemporary Art, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The Art Prizes were initiated by Biennial patrons Jay Smith and Laura Rapp, and generously supported by David and Carol Appel; Leslie Gales, Keith Ray, Stephanie Ray, and Eric Ray; the Hal Jackman Foundation; and Eleanor and Francis Shen.

Abel Rodríguez, Terraza Alta VI, 2018, acrylic on paper. Courtesy of the artist and Instituto de visión.
Abel Rodríguez, Terraza Alta VI, 2018, acrylic on paper. Courtesy of the artist and Instituto de visión.
Hera Büyüktaşçıyan, Reveries of an Underground Forest, 2019, carpets, dimensions variable. Commissioned by the Toronto Biennial of Art. On view at 259 Lake Shore Blvd E as part of the Toronto Biennial of Art (2019). Photo: Toni Hafkenscheid. Courtesy Toronto Biennial of Art.
Hera Büyüktaşçıyan, Reveries of an Underground Forest, 2019, carpets, dimensions variable. Commissioned by the Toronto Biennial of Art. On view at 259 Lake Shore Blvd E as part of the Toronto Biennial of Art (2019). Photo: Toni Hafkenscheid. Courtesy Toronto Biennial of Art.
Althea Thauberger and Kite, Call to Arms, performance at the 2019 Toronto Biennial of Art. Photo: Sue Holland. Courtesy Toronto Biennial of Art.
Althea Thauberger and Kite, Call to Arms, performance at the 2019 Toronto Biennial of Art. Photo: Sue Holland. Courtesy Toronto Biennial of Art.
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