Angela Grauerholz, MFA 82, and Robert Walker, BA 69 (Sir George Williams, one of Concordia University's founding institutions), have been named to the shortlist of the Scotiabank Photography Award (SPA). The $50,000 prize, to be announced in May, includes a major solo exhibition at the 2014 Contact Photography Festival and international distribution of a catalogue.
Since Angela Grauerholz's first significant body of work, The Portraits, 1983 - 1985, the Hamburg-born, Montreal-based artist has questioned the accepted norms of photography, both in terms of content and process. Having influenced and taught many generations of graphic designers in Quebec, Grauerholz has received numerous awards for her design work, and has worked for many distinguished artists and art institutions across Canada.
Two Concordia alumni in running for photography prize
An innovative artist, Robert Walker has been committed to probing the boundaries of photography for more than 30 years. Born in Montreal, Walker graduated from Sir George Williams University with a BA in 1969, where he studied fine arts and painting in particular. He developed a keen interest in street photography in the 1970s. After working for more than thirty years in dense urban environments, Walker decided to engage the natural world and for the past five years concentrated on photographing flowers.
Grauerholz and Walker join Stan Douglas, as part of the SPA 2013 shortlist.
"The selection of Stan, Angela and Robert further underlines the commitment of the SPA and the juries to search for excellence in Canadian contemporary photography," said SPA founder Edward Burtynsky. "They were selected for the power of their images and the fearlessness those images embody. Their talent is undeniable and their impressive work underscores why we established the Scotiabank Photography Award."
The 2013 SPA winner will be announced on May 16, 2013.
Click images to enlarge.
Angela Grauerholz, Le bateau, 1986 gelatin silver print, 52" by 40"
Robert Walker, Super market, Toronto, 1977, Ink jet print, 60" x 40 "