Lotus L. Kang wins $100,000 2026 Sobey Art Award

Toronto-born artist wins 2026 Sobey Art Award

Lotus L. Kang was named the winner of the 2026 Sobey Art Award during a ceremony at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, receiving the award's $100,000 top prize. The winner was announced at a special celebration at the NGC, livestreamed to audiences across the country.

Kang is a Toronto-born artist known for combining photography, sculpture and installation work. Her practice unfolds across sculpture, photography and site-responsive installation. She often incorporates photographic film, found objects and everyday materials.

Jury and shortlist

The jury praised Kang's decade-long commitment to her craft and the growing international recognition of her work. Jonathan Shaughnessy, Director, Curatorial Initiatives, NGC, and Chair of the 2026 Sobey Art Award Jury, said on behalf of the jury: "In selecting Lotus L. Kang, the Jury recognizes the commitment and rigour demonstrated in her practice for well over a decade. Through installations using unfixed photographic film, cast and found objects, and fabricated armatures, her practice resists the stabilizing impulses traditionally associated with photography. Reoccurring motifs including lotus root, flowers, soju bottles, birds, anchovies, are not fixed objects, but repositories of place, longing, and desire. We celebrate the increasingly global reach of Kang's poetic and beautiful work, which presents an active reflection on our contemporary moment."

Five other shortlisted artists—Melaw Nakehk'o, Samuel Roy-Bois, Audie Murray, Caroline Monnet and Shane Perley-Dutcher—will each receive $25,000. Another 24 longlisted artists will receive $10,000 apiece, bringing the award's total value to $465,000.

Exhibition and response

Works by all six finalists are on display at the National Gallery until Jan. 3, 2027. The 2026 Sobey Art Award Exhibition at the NGC brings together a diverse range of artistic practices and is on view until January 3, 2027.

Lotus L. Kang said: "It is an honour to be recognized by this prize. I am grateful to those I love, those who love me, and those who have supported me; you keep me going. The recognition of this prize means that askew ideas are worth pursuing. Art is essential to life, progress and love. Thank you!"

Rob Sobey, Chair of the Sobey Art Foundation, said: "On behalf of the Sobey Art Foundation, our heartfelt congratulations to Lotus L. Kang on winning the 2026 Sobey Art Award. We also celebrate tonight all 29 artists on this year's longlist and shortlist for their creativity and vision. We are proud to champion their work and grateful to the National Gallery of Canada for helping bring these remarkable artistic voices to audiences at home and around the world."

About the award

Now in its 23rd year, the award recognizes Canadian contemporary artists at pivotal stages in their careers. The Sobey Art Award is Canada's preeminent prize for Canadian contemporary visual artists. Created in 2002 and privately funded by the Sobey Art Foundation, the award aims to promote new developments in contemporary visual arts and help to propel the careers of artists through financial support and recognition in Canada and beyond. The SAA has been jointly administered by the National Gallery of Canada and SAF since 2016.

The Sobey Art Foundation was established in 1981 by the late Frank H. Sobey, a dedicated collector of Canadian art. The National Gallery of Canada was founded in 1880 and is home to more than 90,000 works.

Sources

• thespec.com: Toronto-born artist Lotus L. Kang wins $100,000 2026 Sobey Art Award
• winnipegsun.com: Toronto-born artist Lotus L. Kang wins $100,000 2026 Sobey Art Award | National News | winnipegsun.com
• pr.chinookobserver.com: Lotus L. Kang wins $100,000 Sobey Art Award grand prize PR Newswire

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