3 Montrealers win Governor General visual arts awards

Three Montrealers are on the list of eight winners of the 2015 Governor Generals Awards in Visual and Media Arts.

They include curator Louise Dry, media artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and performance artistRober Racine.

Dry is the director of the Galrie de lUQAM and shes worked internationally as curator of several exhibitions for the Venice Biennale, including David Altmedj who represented Canada in 2007.

Dry told CBC News that she appreciates the recognition for the role of the curator in supporting Canadian artists.

As curators we are people deeply engaged in developing knowledge about artists, about the field, about new currents.

I enjoy measuring myself against the works, confronting the art works, going in the studio,meeting with the art works. This is what I have liked so much...Sometimes we are the first to look at the art work.

Rafael Lozano-Hemmer is known for his interactive installations including Vectorial Elevation for the Vancouver Olympics and Pulse Room which was shown here in Montreal at the Muse dart contemporain last summer.

Its, I guess, very satisfying to all of a sudden get this recognition. As a narcissistic megalomaniac it fits nicely with my personality. No I'm kidding, but these awards are always received with a sense of distance not really happening to your own career.

The third Montrealer to be honoured is multidisciplinary artist, writer, pianist and composerRober Racine.

The other winners are Toronto's Robert Houle and Micah Lexier, both visual artists,Toronto jewellery artistPaul McClure, Victoria painterSandra Meigs and new media artistReva Stone of Winnipeg.

The Canada Council has commissioned short films on each of the winners, directed by award-winning Canadian filmmakers.

The films are available on the Canada Council and the Independent Media Arts Alliance websites and at film festivals throughout the year. Travellers onAir Canada will also be able to view them on the companys in-flight entertainment systemstarting in May 2015.

The National Gallery of Canada will also have a special exhibition featuringselected works by this years winners from April 9 to August30.

Governor GeneralDavid Johnston will welcome this years recipients to Rideau Hall on April 8, 2015, for a special ceremony. On this occasion, each winner will be presented with a unique medallion produced by the Royal Canadian Mint.