2015 Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts

A stunning selection of works by the recipients on view at the National Gallery of Canada.

OTTAWA, April 8, 2015 /CNW/ - Until August 30, the National Gallery of Canada (NGC) presents a selection of significant works by the winners of the 2015 Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts. The exhibition is organized by the NGC in collaboration with the Canada Council for the Arts.

The exhibition curator, Rhiannon Vogl, NGC associate curator of contemporary art, has selected and gathered key works by visuals artists Robert Houle and Micah Lexier, both from Toronto; media artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, from Montreal; painter Sandra Meigs, from Victoria; visual artist, writer and composer Rober Racine, from Montreal; new media artist Reva Stone, from Winnipeg, and jewellery artist Paul McClure, from Toronto, recipient of the Saidye Bronfman Award. Montreal-based curator Louise Déry's outstanding contribution will also be highlighted. The exhibition will include both loans from the laureates and works from the private and public collections, including from the national collection.

"We're excited about this collaboration with the Canada Council for the Arts, which aims to show our visitors the exceptional talents and careers of this year's winners," said NGC Director and CEO, Marc Mayer.

To learn more about the winners, read their profile and watch their respective video portraits on Canada Council for the Arts' website.

The Awards are funded and administered by the Canada Council for the Arts. They recognize distinguished career achievements in the visual and media arts by Canadian artists and arts professionals or volunteers.

Opening
Members of the public are invited to attend the Opening on Thursday, April 9th, starting at 5:00 pm in the Gallery's Great Hall. Speeches by the NGC Director and CEO, Marc Mayer, as well as Canada Council for the Arts' Director and CEO, Simon Brault, including an introduction of the recepients, will begin at 6 pm. Admission to the Gallery and exhibition is free from 5 pm to 8 pm.

About the National Gallery of Canada
The National Gallery of Canada is home to the most important collections of historical and contemporary Canadian art. The Gallery also maintains Canada's premier collection of European Art from the 14th to the 21st century, as well as important works of American, Asian and Indigenous Art and renowned international collections of prints, drawings and photographs. Created in 1880, the National Gallery of Canada has played a key role in Canadian culture for well over a century. Among its principal missions is to increase access to excellent works of art for all Canadians. For more information, visit gallery.ca

NGC Magazine
NGCmagazine.ca, the National Gallery of Canada's online magazine, is a frequently updated source of information on the Canadian art world and events at the National Gallery of Canada.  Correspondents from across the country provide engaging and exclusive content on historical and contemporary art in Canada. This online magazine also includes interviews with artists. Read the article about the exhibition.

Hours
Until April 30^th, the NGC is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursdays until 8 p.m. Open every day from May 1^st to Septermber 30^th. From May 16 to September 7, 2015, the Gallery is staying open one hour longer, i.e. until 6 pm from Friday to Wednesday. The Gallery will still be open until 8 pm on Thursdays.

Admission
Admission to the Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts exhibition is included in admission to the NGC Collection. Adults: $12; Seniors and full-time students: $10; youth aged 12-19: $6; families (two adults and three youth): $24. Admission is free for children under the age of 12 and for Members. Free admission Thursdays between 5 pm and 8 pm. For more information: 613.998.8888 or 1.888.541.8888.

Connect with the NGC
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Canada Council for the Arts Media Kits
An electronic press kit complete with video interviews, nomination statements and event listings as well as images of the artists and their works is available on the Canada Council for the Arts' website at: http://ggavma.canadacouncil.ca/

SOURCE National Gallery of Canada

For media only: For more information about the exhibition, please contact: Josée-Britanie Mallet, Senior Media and Public Relations Officer, National Gallery of Canada, 613-990-6835 / [e-mail]; Canada Council for the Arts, Heather McAfee - 613-566-4414, ext. 4166 or 613-218-0066, [e-mail]