Contemporary artist Brian Jungen receives $100,000 Audain Prize for the Visual Arts

Audain Prize winner Brian Jungen in seen in this photo by Tyler Hagan, courtesy of the artist, via the Audain Prize.

Contemporary artist Brian Jungen has won the $100,000 Audain Prize for the Visual Arts.

The B.C. artist is known for sculptures made from mass-produced objects that are disassembled and reconstructed into new figures, often inspired by his Indigenous heritage.

Works include cut-up Nike Air Jordans reimagined as Indigenous-style face masks and colourful golf bags stacked to look like totem poles.

In Toronto, he’s arguably best known for a massive bronze sculpture dubbed Couch Monster made from discarded leather sofas shaped like an elephant, located in front of the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Michael Audain, chairman of the Audain Foundation, says the impact of Jungen’s thought-provoking art is “undeniable.”

The Audain Prize is handed out annually to a B.C. artist in recognition of global accomplishments.

A ceremony Friday in Vancouver also announced winners of five $7,500 Audain Travel Awards to support career-enriching experiences for art students.

Jungen was born north of Fort St. John, B.C., in 1970, and graduated from what is now known as the Emily Carr University of Art and Design.

His mother is from the Dane-zaa Nation and his father is of Swiss origin. Jungen lives within Treaty 8 in northern B.C.

This report by Cassandra Szklarski of The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2025.