Congratulations to the winners of the 2016 Aimia | AGO Photography Prize Scholarship Program! The scholarship program, which was inaugurated in 2013, recognizes 3 full-time students—Canadian or international—who are entering their final year of study toward a bachelor’s degree of fine arts in photography at one of 15 participating post-secondary institutions across Canada. From a field of more than 100 applicants this year, the jury has awarded Catherine Canac-Marquis of Concordia University, Jeff Chiu of Ryerson University and Alexia-Leana Kokozaki of the University of Ottawa. The winners each receive $7,000 CDN toward tuition for their final year of undergraduate study. The field of applicants was so competitive this year that for the first time ever, the jury has decided to award an honourable mention prize of $1,000 CAD to Andi Icaza Largaespada of Simon Fraser University’s School for Contemporary Arts.
This year’s jury included:
Adelina Vlas, Associate Curator of Contemporary Art, AGO
Dave Jordano, 2015 Winner of the Aimia | AGO Photography Prize
cheyanne turions, independent curator and writer
Learn more about this year’s winner below:
Catherine Canac-Marquis, Concordia University, Quebec
Catherine Canac-Marquis, Glory Fades , 2015-2016, 20” x 25”
Originally from Quebec City, Catherine Canac-Marquis studied graphic design before relocating to Reykjavik, Iceland. Now living in Montreal, she is finishing up her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in photography at Concordia University. In 2015, she received two bursaries for academic excellence. She was selected to take part in the most recent edition of the Concordia Photography Collective and her work has been presented in several group exhibitions in Montreal and Toronto.
Jeff Chiu, Ryerson University, Ontario
Jeff Chiu, Ghost Money , 2015, 24” x 35”, Archival Inkjet Print
Jeff Chiu was born in Toronto, Ontario to parents who were raised in rural China. In his images, he tries to convey the experience of diaspora and life as a second-generation immigrant. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Ryerson University’s School of Image Arts.
Alexia-Leana Kokozaki, University of Ottawa, Ontario
Alexia-Leana Kokozaki, Tulle, Plastic, Pebbles (And Light) , 2015, 11” x 8.5” or 22” x 17”, Digital photogram. Vellum print and matte print, Courtesy of the Artist
Alexia-Leana Kokozaki is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Ottawa. Her work in photography and installation involves re-contextualizing familiar objects and figures within unusual spaces and narratives in order to pique curiosity.
For the first time ever, the jury is pleased to award an honourable mention on the basis of demonstrated potential.
Andi Icaza Largaespada, Simon Fraser University’s School for Contemporary Arts, British Columbia
Andi Icaza Largaespada, Jane, 2016, 20” x 24”, C-Print
Andi Icaza Largaespada is a multidisciplinary visual artist based in unceded Coast Salish territories. Incorporating elements of social research, ethics and sustainability into her practice, her work explores ways of belonging and resistance. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Simon Fraser University’s School for Contemporary Arts, and was the recipient for its Canon Canada Prize in 2015 and the Tanabe/Thorne Annual Award in 2016.
The Aimia | AGO Photography Prize is Canada’s most significant photography prize, and one of the most unique arts and culture prize programs in the world. Established in 2007, the Prize was the first major art prize to allow the public to choose its winner. Each year the Prize awards $50,000 to the winner, $5,000 to each of the other shortlisted artists and $7,000 to each of the scholarship winners.
Stay tuned for the 2016 Aimia | AGO Photography Prize shortlist announcement on July 27! Follow us on our Facebook page and @AimiaAGOPrize on Twitter.