Thursday, November 28, 2024 – The Contemporary Art Galleries Association (AGAC) and the City of Montreal gathered last night to present the Pierre-Ayot and Louis-Comtois Awards. Over a hundred people attended the event at the Chaufferie in UQAM’s Coeur des sciences to honor the winners and finalists. This year, the prestigious visual arts awards were presented to Fatine-Violette Sabiri and Yann Pocreau.
“The Ville de Montréal is proud to showcase the exceptional talent of visual artists, both emerging and established. These awards, honoring Pierre Ayot and Louis Comtois, are more than just accolades: they embody our unwavering commitment to creativity and innovation. Every year, we take immense pride in witnessing the transformative impact this recognition has on the careers of the finalists and award recipients. Our partnership with AGAC is a cornerstone of this initiative, and we remain committed to supporting the artistic excellence that makes Montreal a dynamic and inspiring cultural metropolis”, said Ericka Alneus, Executive committee member, Responsible for culture, heritage, gastronomy, and nightlife.
“Congratulations to the winning artists! These excellence awards are an essential recognition and support for local artists. AGAC also applauds the Ville de Montréal for its strong commitment to our creators, particularly its dedication to placing contemporary art at the heart of the Municipal Collection. This partnership with the Ville de Montréal, which we have proudly maintained for three decades, is a collaboration we deeply value”, said Anie Deslauriers, Director of the Contemporary Art Galleries Association.
The jury tasked with selecting the artists consisted of five visual arts professionals: Manel Benchabane (Curator, Stewart Hall Gallery), Anaïs Castro (Associate Curator, National Gallery of Canada, curator and author), François LeTourneux (Curator and Head of Cultural Outreach, Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal), Caroline Monnet (Artist), and Jonathan Shaughnessy (Director of Curatorial Initiatives, National Gallery of Canada).
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Fatine-Violette Sabiri
Pierre-Ayot Award Winner
“Born in Morocco, Fatine-Violette Sabiri develops a practice that blends photography, tactile mediums, and traditional artisanal techniques in a profoundly autobiographical approach. Inspired by encounters and everyday objects, she draws on her intuition to explore personal narratives imbued with sensitivity. Her work, shaped by her migratory experience and cultural transformation since arriving in Montreal, reflects an intimate dialogue between identity and memory. The jury praised the sensitivity and elegance with which Sabiri handles the images and objects she reinterprets, imbuing her work with poetic and universal depth. Sabiri’s work offers a vibrant and sensitive exploration of contemporary identity narratives.”
The artist is represented by Galerie Eli Kerr in Montreal.
We also wish to acknowledge the outstanding work of the two finalists for the Pierre-Ayot Award, Laïla Mestari and Michaëlle Sergile.
The Pierre-Ayot Award promotes the excellence of new visual art creation in Montreal, supports the representation of young artists in the city’s galleries and artist-run centres, and recognizes the efforts of exhibitors who encourage early-career artists. A $5,000 grant and a $2,500 budget for the organization of a solo exhibition in Montreal are offered to the winner. The city also acquires an artwork by the winner for its collection. The Ville de Montréal also acquires a work from the award recipients for its art collection.
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Yann Pocreau
Louis-Comtois Award Winner
“The jury wished to highlight the exemplary rigor and remarkable consistency of Yann Pocreau, whose prolific career has continuously enriched Montreal’s artistic landscape. His work, both visually striking and intellectually engaging, stands as a major contribution to contemporary art. Moving seamlessly between the infinitely vast and what can be held in the palm of a hand, Yann Pocreau explores wonder and the overlooked with equal sensitivity, uncovering forgotten stories and unexpected beauty. He demonstrates exceptional virtuosity in every project, whether through his daily artistic practice or his public artworks that enhance our urban environment. His ability to weave connections between aesthetics, critical reflection, and contemporary concerns lends his work profound relevance, resonating sharply within today’s artistic and societal discourse.”
The artist is represented by Blouin Division in Montreal.
Artists Kelly Jazvac and Joseph Tisiga were also finalists for the Louis-Comtois Award.
The Louis-Comtois Award recognizes a mid-career artist and highlights the quality of his or her production in the field of contemporary art in Montreal over the past 15 years. The prize is accompanied by a $7,500 grant and a $2,500 budget for the organization of a solo exhibition in Montreal. The City of Montreal also acquires an artwork by the winner for the Municipal Art Collection. The Ville de Montréal also acquires a work from the award recipients for its art collection.