Brian Jungen: transforming the everyday into art

When Brian Jungen was announced as the 2025 recipient of the Audain Prize for the Visual Arts, worth $100,000, the news echoed across British Columbia’s art community and beyond. It marked another milestone in a career defined by innovation, cultural reflection and international influence.

Born in Fort St. John, B.C., and of Dane-zaa and Swiss ancestry, Jungen has become one of Canada’s most celebrated contemporary artists. His sculptures and installations transform everyday materials into powerful reflections on identity, environment and global commerce. From Nike Air Jordans reimagined as West Coast masks to lawn chairs shaped into animal skeletons, his work connects Indigenous traditions with modern consumer culture.

The meaning of the Audain Prize

The Audain Prize is one of Canada’s most prestigious honours for visual artists. It recognizes exceptional contributions to the country’s visual culture and celebrates artists whose work challenges the boundaries of form and meaning. Jungen joins past recipients such as Rebecca Belmore, Jeff Wall and Dana Claxton, each known for redefining how Canadian art is seen around the world.

The award committee praised Jungen’s “ability to transform familiar objects into symbols of dialogue and understanding.” His practice invites viewers to reconsider what is valuable, what is waste and how objects hold stories that span generations and geographies.

Impact on community and the art world

Jungen’s influence reaches well beyond galleries. His work explores the intersections between Indigenous identity and mass production, sparking conversation about environmental sustainability, material reuse and cultural exchange. His sculptures and installations encourage people to see art not only as an object but as a relationship with place and history.

In Vancouver, initiatives such as Art Downtown share a similar goal by creating accessible spaces where art and community intersect. Jungen’s recognition through the Audain Prize reflects this same spirit of accessibility and public engagement. Like Art Downtown, his work transforms familiar settings into sites of discovery and connection, helping art reach people outside traditional gallery walls.

For emerging artists, Jungen’s success is deeply motivating. It shows that local stories can carry global impact and that artistic integrity can lead to international recognition. His exhibitions at the Tate Modern in London, the National Gallery of Canada and the New Museum in New York demonstrate the power of perspective rooted in place.

A legacy of transformation

Jungen’s art invites viewers to look at the ordinary through a new lens. His creative reuse of materials speaks to environmental awareness and Indigenous worldviews that emphasize balance and renewal. Whether in a major museum or a public setting, his work bridges audiences through shared understanding.

His ongoing contributions to public art and community programming also support the next generation of artists. By connecting creative expression with sustainability and inclusivity, Jungen’s legacy encourages both artists and audiences to participate in cultural dialogue.

Closing reflection

The Audain Prize honours more than artistic excellence. It celebrates art’s ability to connect communities, inspire curiosity and challenge perception. Brian Jungen’s work continues to redefine how materials, identity and place intertwine, inviting viewers to imagine new possibilities for creativity and culture.

Through his vision, Vancouver’s art community and initiatives like Art Downtown are reminded that art’s greatest power lies in the transformation of objects, ideas and the people who encounter them.

by Preety Komal