The Jack and Doris Shadbolt Foundation for the Visual Arts has officially announced the distinguished recipients of its 2025 VIVA Award and the 2025 Alvin Balkind Curator's Prize. This year's honors spotlight two influential figures in the Canadian arts scene, celebrating their contributions to visual and performing arts.
VIVA Award Honors Justine A. Chambers
Artist, dancer, and choreographer Justine A. Chambers has been awarded the prestigious VIVA Award. Established in 1988 by Jack and Doris Shadbolt, this award traditionally recognizes mid-career visual artists. Chambers, however, brings a unique interdisciplinary approach, blurring the lines between dance and visual art.
"In the last 10 to 15 years, I've probably shown more work in galleries than I have in theatres," Chambers remarked. "I think I straddle the line between dance and visual art."
Expanding the Boundaries of Choreography
The VIVA jury praised Chambers for "pushing against" and "rethinking" contemporary dance. For Chambers, this involves broadening the definition of choreography beyond technical skill to include everyday movements.
"What are the choreographies already embedded in the world? I think so many things are dance, from lining up for a bus to sitting at a table," she explained.
This perspective is vividly embodied in her recent work, The Brutal Joy, which draws inspiration from social dances accessible to all, such as the electric slide. Chambers describes these dances as "spaces of self-determination," where individuals express themselves freely within communal frameworks.
Fashion as Self-Expression
The Brutal Joy also delves into Black sartorial expression and dandyism, examining fashion as a powerful form of self-determination. For Chambers, clothing and style are not merely aesthetic choices but vital tools for claiming space and shaping identity.
"Fashion and line dancing are very everyday things," she noted. "But I can use those ideas to talk about larger ideas, such as how we build joy in self-expression, and in communally supporting that self-expression."
Celebrating Collaboration and Mentorship
Another highlight from the jury citation was its acknowledgment of Chambers' role as a collaborator and mentor. She emphasized the holistic nature of an artist's life, where creation extends beyond exhibitions and performances.
"Part of being an artist is being in the world, and thinking about how you are in the world, and using artwork to think that through," Chambers said. "It's wonderful for the work itself to be celebrated, but we spend most of our time doing all those other things."
Alvin Balkind Curator's Prize Awarded to Lorna Brown
Curator Lorna Brown has been honored with the Alvin Balkind Curator's Prize. This biannual award, established in memory of the influential Vancouver gallerist Alvin Balkind, recognizes excellence in curatorial practice within the visual arts.
Brown's curatorial work has significantly impacted the visual arts landscape, though specific details of her contributions were not elaborated in the original announcement. The prize underscores her dedication to fostering artistic dialogue and innovation.
Foundation's Legacy and Impact
The Shadbolt Foundation continues to play a pivotal role in supporting visual arts in Canada. By awarding these prizes, the foundation not only honors individual achievements but also promotes broader artistic exploration and community engagement.
Both Chambers and Brown represent the dynamic and evolving nature of contemporary art, where boundaries between disciplines are increasingly fluid. Their recognition by the Shadbolt Foundation highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and curatorial excellence in enriching cultural discourse.
As the arts community celebrates these achievements, the 2025 VIVA Award and Alvin Balkind Curator's Prize stand as testaments to the enduring legacy of Jack and Doris Shadbolt's vision for the visual arts.
