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Catherine Blackburn's "New Age Warriors" exhbit was shown at the Mann Art Gallery last September. (Facebook/Catherine Blackburn)
Indigenous art

Local artist named finalist for national award

Apr 16, 2019 | 2:06 PM

A woman whose work will be very familiar to people living in the Prince Albert and northeast region, is receiving more national recognition.

Catherine Blackburn who lives in Leask is one of 25 finalists for the Sobey Art Award. Presented by the National Gallery of Canada, the award promotes new developments in contemporary Canadian art .

“I’m deeply honored to be long listed amongst such incredible talent,” Blackburn told paNOW. “I am proud to help the represent the diversity of art and culture in the prairies and the North.”

Blackburn who is a member of the English River First Nation, is a multidisciplinary artist and jeweller, whose work has explored the complexities of memory, history and identity. She received numerous grants and awards for her work, including a Governor General’s History Award, a Saskatchewan RBC Emerging Artist Award, and most recently, the Melissa Levin Emerging Artist Award.

A special teabag created by Blackburn. (National Gallery of Canada)

The 2019 Sobey Art Award gala takes place November 15 in Edmonton. The jury, which is comprised of representatives from five Canadian regions, is chaired by Canada’s Senior Curator of Contemporary Art, Josée Drouin-Brisebois.The winner of the award receives $100,000, but each of the remaining four finalists receives $25,000.

“Regardless of the final selection, I am deeply honored. Congrats to all artists, what an amazing accomplishment for all,” Blackburn said.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

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