Steven Shearer wins 2026 Audain Prize for visual arts
Vancouver artist Steven Shearer has been awarded the 2026 Audain Prize, a C$100,000 honour recognizing a career of artistic achievement.
Steven Shearer has won the 2026 Audain Prize, one of Canada's top visual arts awards. The C$100,000 prize was announced on September 23 at a ceremony in the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver's ballroom.
The Vancouver-based multidisciplinary artist is known for his portrait paintings and photoconceptual works. His art mixes art historical references with imagery from contemporary youth subcultures.
The Award Ceremony and Artist's Remarks
Accepting the award, Shearer reflected on his family's artistic background and his own early education. He also praised the emerging artists who assist him in his studio.
In a statement, Shearer described painting as the culmination of his work. All the other works are not sidetracks, but they are a way of building a world for where maybe the subject matter of the paintings come from, and a source of inspiration, he said. He told The Art Newspaper he plans to reinvest the prize money into his expanding studio, where he is working on a series of "mystery portraits."
Selection Committee Praise
Emmy Lee Wall, a member of the prize's selection committee, explained the choice. She said Shearer is renowned for weaving together canonical art history with contemporary youth culture. His work, she stated, collapses hierarchies between high art and the energy of teen rebellion.
Shearer's Career and Representation
Shearer's work has been shown at major international institutions. His career includes exhibitions at Tate Modern and representing Canada at the Venice Biennale.
| Gallery | Representation & Exhibitions |
|---|---|
| David Zwirner | Represents Shearer; held solo shows in New York (2024) and London (2026). |
| Galerie Eva Presenhuber | Has held eight solo exhibitions of his work in Zürich, Seoul, and New York over 21 years. |
A solo exhibition at the Aspen Art Museum in Colorado is scheduled for next year.
Controversy in Vancouver
Shearer's work has not always been welcomed in his hometown. In 2021, seven of his billboard works for the Capture Photography Festival were removed before the official opening. The sponsor, Pattison Outdoor Advertising, took them down after receiving dozens of complaints from residents. The images depicted people sleeping in public.
About the Audain Prize
The Audain Prize was established in 2004 by collector and philanthropist Michael Audain. It is presented annually by the Audain Art Museum in Whistler, British Columbia, to elevate artists from the province. Past winners include Brian Jungen, Rebecca Belmore, and Dana Claxton.
