Abbas Akhavan Receives 2015 Sobey Art Award

Abbas Akhavan, an artist based in Toronto, has been named the recipient of the 2015 Sobey Art Award. This annual prize, funded by the Sobey Art Foundation, provides $50,000 to support emerging Canadian contemporary artists who are under 40 years old. Akhavan was chosen from a shortlist of five finalists, which included Raymond Boisjoly, Sarah Anne Johnson, Jon Rafman, and Lisa Lipton. The works of all shortlisted artists are currently on display at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in Halifax, with the exhibition running until January 3, 2016. The announcement was made on October 29, 2015. Akhavan represents Ontario in the award's regional categories, while the other finalists correspond to different Canadian regions: Boisjoly for West Coast and Yukon, Johnson for Prairies and the North, Rafman for Quebec, and Lipton for Atlantic. The Sobey Art Award is a significant recognition in the Canadian art scene, highlighting emerging talent and providing financial support to further their careers. The exhibition at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia offers a public showcase of the finalists' works, underscoring the award's role in promoting contemporary art across the country.