“The 2016 Prix Canson was awarded to Njideka Akunyili Crosby on Tuesday evening at the Drawing Center in New York. The Nigerian, Los Angeles-based artist won the sixth edition of the prestigious drawing prize for her works on paper—rich, figurative works that collage Nigerian history, literature, popular culture, and her own personal narratives. The selection was made by an international jury of esteemed curators, led by Brett Littman, executive director of the Drawing Center, the first U.S. institution to host Canson’s annual exhibition of five finalists.
“We felt that your work had a level of complexity, it intertwined the personal narrative with your complex cultural signifiers, your mastery of multiple mediums, your iconic painting, and last, but not least, total dedication to paper,” Littman said to Crosby as he made the announcement.
The award is given each year to a contemporary artist who creates masterful works on paper, which embody the historic paper company’s spirit of creativity and innovation. In addition to Crosby, this year’s diverse group of finalists included ruby onyinyechi amanze, Bethany Collins, David Shrigley, and Lucy Skaer; new and recent works by the finalists are on view at the Drawing Center through July 1st. ”