Top 26

We received so many beautiful and thoughtful works of art from all across Canada and are happy to share with you our jury-selected, top 26 winners!

The 26 winners had their artwork included in the Travelling Exhibit that appeared in locations across Canada, as well as at Winterlude 2013. The top 13 winners traveled to Ottawa for Winterlude with support from the National Capital Commission, and received digital cameras to document their experience.

Select winners also received Adobe Software, Best Buy Gift Certificates, and books from Penguin's Extraordinary Canadians Series.

Thank you to all those that participated, and congratulations to the following 26!

Wheatfield | Rosanna Marmont, Quebec, Age 25

The impact of my first exposure to the landscape of Western Canada as a young child was immense. As sheep and cattle farmers from New Zealand, my family had understood land as the most simple and direct manner in which identity, belonging, and purpose within a physical context could be established. As travelers and later as immigrants to Canada, Alberta's landscape represented something much more ideal. The infinite space and luminous distant horizons were allegories of yearning, of greener-grass on-the-other-side, of new beginnings. The subliminal nature of empty expansive land simultaneously enticed and estranged, evoking the feeling of insignificance as well as the desire to lay claim to and create permanence. This first introduction to Western Canada was paramount in our decision to immigrate to Canada in the year 2000.

My submission is part of a series that explores the human relationship to land. In my painting I study the nuances of how the eye navigates between the furrows or over the profile of a hill, of where it settles on the horizon. The light in my work serves as a vanishing point, forever something to be sought out, the source of which can never be located, hidden behind the silhouette of a hilltop or radiating from the edge of the painting. My aim is to capture the human condition, caught between the reality of our transience and the fantasy that we belong to some greater contingency.

First

Whapmagoostui 1 | Jean-Philippe Luckhurst-Cartier, Quebec, Age 26

I am interested in the observation of culture being transformed into spectacle. Wondering, philosophy and political reflections are the main structures of my artistic process in which I tend to develop critical questions about our contemporary ideologies.

For the diptych entitled Whapmagoostui, a friend of mine phoned me to describe the colours of the Whapmagoostui community, in Hudson Bay, where she was a health professional in training. The colours were then translated through my understanding and subjectivity upon the canvas. Communication is important in the process; the electrical wires stand for this matter in one of the two pictures. My friend also sent me a photograph that I have included by painting parts of it in the landscape. It shows a man fixing his ski-doo, a Canadian vehicle that was developed by Bombardier. The driver looks Aborigninal. He is alone in the vast landscape, fixing the snowmobile that has replaced the traditional dogsled. Thus, we are in presence of a cultural mix based on ideas that were literally spread by word of mouth.

You can also notice a geodesic structure, rather common in intensely cold areas. It was developed by the American engineer Buckminster Fuller, but was widely adopted by the Canadians as a technological substitute for (and inspired by) the traditional igloo. Also, the cold and the vast openness of the landscape are two outstanding features of the land where I live and I aim to represent them in my pictures.

Second

Grus Americana | Natasha Broad, British Columbia, Age 24

The Whooping crane has been a long standing symbol of Canadian identity in terms of environmental conservation, and how much we are capable, as a nation, in our abilities to protect nature when it is most needed. These two pieces are relevant to current environmental issues within Canada today. The home of the Whooping crane is currently threatened by the Oil sands and as a Canadian I feel the need to preserve our land. As an artist, I can only do that by visually reaching out to people in hopes that they too understand the importance of our heritage found in our beautiful forests and pristine mountains, and what we need to do to protect that. I have used graphite pencil to render the drawings which are 5X7 feet and have included collaged map elements to map the migration routes of these birds across Canada towards America.

Third

I love our potential | Alanah Correia, Nova Scotia, Age 17

This is a photograph about how youth have the potential to take things, their future, their lives, into their own hands, but may not know they have this power. Luckily I've been able to find this potential in myself, and hope others can find it in themseleves. We constantly assume that all there is to life; wars and famine, droughts and floods, more barking than biting, dehumanization and ignorance, assumptions and misinterpretations... We all have the potential to change this for the better - better for everyone, not just the priveledged. We need to educate the youth of Canada about the importance of education. Knowledge is power, and no one can take it away from you once it's in your brain. We should also alter the education system by encouraging students to strive to be better instead of just rewarding the ones who have good marks.

Connection's Progression | Aidan Cartwright, Northwest Territories, Age 26

'I was born and raised in the Northwest Territories where there are over 10 official languages. As a child I spent my time in a small community in the Sahtu where I would often speak with Ravens. I enjoyed conversing with Ravens because they had so many different ways of conversing back; and to this day I still talk to them if they are willing to talk to me. While working on a heritage based art project on the significance of communication, I was inspired to create a short animation that reflected communication through a personally written creation story. The physical artwork was just recently purchased as part of the City of Yellowknife's Heritage Art Collection, and I would like to share my story with Canada. As Canadians our stories are very dear to us; as a Canadian of the 'True North, strong and free' my stories are my life.'

Generation Self-Identification | Rema Tavares, Ontario, Age 29

I am [Mixed. Biracial. Black. Jamaican. Irish. Jewish] Canadian.

Born in 1983, I have lived in a small town of roughly 1000 as well as the largest city in Canada. I have visited both coasts, and a variety of cities and towns, both east and west. And yet, while inhabiting the same body, I have been read as everything from Southern European, to Middle Eastern, to South American, to North and South African, and back again. I am often asked to name myself with questions like "What are you"? or "Where are you from"?

This photo project is the result of my efforts to explore the mixed-race experience in Canada. "How do other self-identified mixed people name themselves?" is the question I am asking. While their responses may change and evolve over time, it provides a cross-section of how some are requesting to be perceived. This experience continues to deeply impact my own sense of self and has provided me with a wonderful new patchwork family across the country. For this reason, it was my intention to make a photo-quilt of these generous faces, with the hopes of challenging what "Canadian" looks like.

The fact is, Canada has been home to a variety of mixed-race people for centuries. However, more and more people are rejecting the problematic labels that have come with the territory: half-breed, multatto, mutt. We are perpetually exploring the boundaries of self-identification, trying different names on for size, or even stripping ourselves of them completely. While I continue to navigate my own path, I am both humbled and honoured to know that I am following in the footsteps of those that came before me, as well as laying down new ones for those behind me.

I am this country | Kaitlyn Purvis, Ontario, Age 19

My art work is my song. It's hard to define my Canadian moment down to just one moment. I have lived in Canada my whole life. Every time I go to another Canadian city or to the beach-anywhere really, I feel a part of this country. I have been so privileged to live in such an open, supportive environment. If I had to define one moment though, I would choose the day when I got my guitar. That's why I chose to write a song. Song writing is who I have become. Through my song, I am telling what I think about when I think of being Canadian. Beautiful waters, open plains, blue skies, birds singing as you walk through the park, strangers smiling as you pass them by. I have never been anything else but Canadian, being Canadian is my norm. If someone asked me what it's like to be Canadian, I wouldn't know what to tell them. That's like asking someone who's a twin what it's like to be a twin, they have never been anything but a twin. How are they supposed to know what it's like not to be when they have been one their entire life? When I think of my home or of my family and friends- I think of Stratford, Ontario, Canada, and my house on the outskirts of town. I think of that time my friends and I walked around the river at midnight, or the time I got to perform on the famous Stratford Festival stage. Canada has become the country it is because of its people. Because of you and me! And our culture has evolved because of the different moments that make us feel like Canadians!

Awakening on the Coast | Jessica Gardner, Ontario, Age 21

'This work is done on a 24" X 30" piece of plywood, and incorporates the mixed media of wood burning and water colour paint. The artwork captures visual memories from my first time travelling to another province this past summer when I went to Newfoundland. While on this trip I got the chance to hike and camp on the east coast trail. This experience was invigorating and allowed me to gain a greater appreciation for all of the various landscapes and natural features that Canada has to offer. I am glad that as a Canadian I able to experience these beautiful natural elements in my own country. This piece of art acts as a reflection to the past and future ventures Canadians, and others, may have in Canada by experiencing nature and the broad range of landscapes that makes up its vast land. The collage composition purposefully engages these ideas of reflection and active visual memory when it comes to experiencing Canada's exquisite natural scenery. I hope that the work allows the viewer to revitalize their own personal visual memories of Canada's beautiful terrain, and that it helps them to embrace these natural elements as a part of their own Canadian Identity as it does for me.'

The Call of the Wild | Cassie Jones, Quebec, Age 17

This photo was taken in Greenland on my Arctic Expedition 2011. The two women are Canadian Natives who are throat singing. The throat singing exhibited the sounds of the natural world around them. There was a cultural exchange amongst the Greenlandic natives and a few Canadian aboriginals on the expedition. That moment was beautiful when the community gathered to witness the powerful displays of traditions that transcend space and time. This is a reflection of my Canadian identity, as I feel aboriginal culture is a part of our collective Canadian identity. It is crucial to understand their role in our history. I had the opportunity to share and learn traditional practices on my trip. It is important to recognize, valourize and preserve Native American traditions.'

Separated Connection | Jenice Soo Min Kim, British Columbia, Age 16

My artwork deals with the relationship between nature and humans, portrayed by various natural and man-made materials. Although we are surrounded by all kinds of materials that form our environment, we do not recognize the tight relationship that both nature and us humans share. Either in a positive or negative way, we interact with nature everyday and everywhere.

As a Korean student living in Canada and learning about its history, I came across the Native people, particularly their art and culture. Personally, I found their patterns very appealing and used them in my painting to portray the natural side of our environment. Even our society is influenced by the patterns of First Nations Peoples as they are seen commonly everywhere on our bags, clothes, and other accessories. As well, the trend of feathered hair extensions is derived from the Natives, how they decorated their attire and hair with different ornaments and feathers. However, we tend to forget about the origin of all these styles. Nowadays, First Nations Peoples do not always obtain recognition, but are, in fact, truly the people who make up the roots of Canadian history and help shape Canada's cultural identity.

The Changing Landscape | Sylvia Chan, Ontario, Age 23

"As a Canadian artist, I have come to appreciate nature found in our vast land. Having grown up in Markham, Ontario, I have been educated through school and through my participation in art galleries about the importance of Canada's vast land. It is an important aspect of our Canadian identity. When I was in elementary school, I remember the teachers would talk about the artwork of Robert Bateman and how he has been inspired by nature to create his art pieces. At school, we would go to visit the Varley Art Gallery in Unionville to see artwork of The Group of Seven. At a young age, I have grown to appreciate the beauty found in our landscape.

Landscape has been the central subject of Canadian art. But a landscape is more than just the physical attributes. It contains a lot of history, experiences and contributes to our sense of place. What was there before remains in the minds of individuals that have seen it. Landscape has been a great inspiration for the work that I create. The themes that I am inspired by include the passage of the seasons, the cycle of birth, growth, reproduction, age, death, decay and rebirth.

Seeing how we are busy with our lives and can be preoccupied with our own activities, sometimes, it is good to take a moment to appreciate the land that we have. In the work called 'The Changing Landscape', I wanted to depict how much we, ourselves have changed alongside nature. In the end, there is a lot to appreciate for what we are surrounded by."

Canada Place | Evan Smibert, Alberta, Age 24

Throughout my life, I have celebrated Canada Day in many places across this great land: Calgary, Okotoks, Whitehorse, Regina, Sylvan Lake, Red Deer and for the first time in 2010, Vancouver. Along with the celebration of Canada's birthday, Pamela and I celebrated our two-year anniversary together in downtown Vancouver. The entire city was buzzing with energy and Canada Place was one of our first stops. An overwhelming feeling came over me as we entered; I have never in my life been in a venue as spacious and inspiring. We sat on the floor for a couple of hours soaking up the energy of the people and the expansive space.

The camera I use is a Pentax K1000, an old film camera from the 1970's. The back of the camera doesn't close completely so inevitably, parts of the film are exposed to the light leaking in. This exposure results in streaks and splashes of intense colour on the developed photographs. Many of the photographs are ruined or do not turn out compositionally, but a few turn out better than I could have ever composed. I embrace chance and what I like to call, "happy accidents" in my art practice.

The accidental exposure adds a heightened sense of energy to the space and the crowd. The red is surprisingly close to the same hue as the iconic red maple leaf; it charges the air with a unified feeling of being a proud Canadian. I wanted to contrast the vastness of the landscape and space of the venue with the small groupings of Canadians (mirrored by the groupings of hanging lights). Even though Canada's population is distributed sparsely, the spirit of the land between us unites us all.

Andy's Trapline | Aurora Johnsgaard, Yukon, Age 24

This is a picture of my dad's trapline. His name is Andy and he is a trapper who brought us up to respect nature and wildlife and to appreciate the great outdoors. We feel at home in the north and I am grateful my dad gave me the opportunity to spend time out in the bush with him. In this picture, my dad is checking out a wolverine which he caught in the conibear trap on the left. My brother Knute, who is on the Jr. National Ski Team, is going for a leisurely ski with our dog Porgi on the trapline and has stopped by Andy's trap to see what he has caught. My favorite animal, a lynx, is watching them from behind a tree. Our neighbor is mushing his dogs in the background, while a small bush plane flies overhead. A squirrel is watching my dad from a tree branch and a weasel passes by behind them. Also behind them is the snowmobile trail where my dad's snowmobile is parked while he checks his trap. Meanwhile a fox is chasing a mouse that surfaced from beneath the snow. In the distance a wolf is oblivious to a rabbit because it sees a bigger meal: a moose. An eagle observes the scene from the sky and a raven looks on from its perch in a tree. The majestic snow covered mountains and boreal forest, home to all the wildlife and my dad's trapline, defines Canada to me.