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<\/a><\/p>\n\u201cArtists are alchemists, and the 2012 Governor General\u2019s Visual and Media Arts laureates are masters at transforming everyday experience into gold,\u201d said Robert Sirman, Director and CEO of the Canada Council for the Arts. \u201cThese awards celebrate artists who have played a key role in shaping the Canada of today, and who continue to have a lasting and positive impact on our culture.\u201d<\/p>\n
Canada Council for the Arts honours eight Canadian greats for the 2012 Governor General\u2019s Awards in Visual and Media Arts. They are:<\/strong><\/p>\n In addition to a $25,000 prize from the Canada Council, the winners each received a special issue medallion sponsored by the Royal Canadian Mint.<\/p>\n<\/a>Robert Sirman, Director and CEO of the Canada Council, presented the awards<\/p>\n<\/a>Margaret Dragu, Performance artist, Vancouver\/Richmond. Photo: Canada Council for the Arts \/ Martin Lipman<\/p>\n<\/a>Margaret Dragu, Pillowbook<\/em>, Lady Justice channeling Mary Magdalene for a projection-performance about AIDS, guilt, and fear, at Bain St-Michel, co-produced by Viva! Art! Action! and International Sex Festivals (ISF), organized by Andre Eric Letourneau and Articule, Montreal 2006. Photo: Guy L’Heureux.<\/p>\n<\/a>Geoffrey James, Photographer, Toronto. Photo: Canada Council for the Arts \/ Martin Lipman<\/p>\n<\/a>Geoffrey James, Partial View of the United States-Mexico Border with Otay Mesa, San Diego County, in the Foreground and Mesa de Otay. Tijuana, in the Background<\/em>, 1997, gelatin silver print, 46.1 x 57.9 cm. Collection of the artist<\/p>\n<\/a>Charles Lewton-Brain, Artist-goldsmith, Saidye Bronfman Award, Calgary. Photo: Canada Council for the Arts \/ Martin Lipman<\/p>\n<\/a>Charles Lewton-Brain, Scored disc<\/em>, 1987, sterling silver, 18k doublee, 9 x 4.5 x 1 cm. Photo courtesy of the artist<\/p>\n<\/a>Ron Martin, Visual artist, Toronto. Photo: Canada Council for the Arts \/ Martin Lipman<\/p>\n<\/a>Ron Martin, To Foil Oils, Phase III<\/em>, 1997,Winsor & Newton oils on canvas, 76.2 x 55.9 cm. Photo: courtesy of Christopher Cutts Gallery<\/p>\n<\/a>Diana Nemiroff, Art gallery director and curator, Outstanding Contribution, Ottawa. Photo: Canada Council for the Arts \/ Martin Lipman<\/p>\n<\/a>Diana Nemiroff. Crossings<\/em>. Ottawa: National Gallery of Canada, 1998.<\/p>\n<\/a>Jan Peacock, Visual artist \u2013 media and installation, Halifax. Photo: Canada Council for the Arts \/ Martin Lipman<\/p>\n<\/a>Jan Peacock, The Road Rises to Meet You<\/em>, 1986, installation detail. Photo: Douglas Curran<\/p>\n<\/a>Royden Rabinowitch, Sculptor, Waterloo. Photo: Canada Council for the Arts \/ Martin Lipman<\/p>\n<\/a>Royden Rabinowitch, Judgment on the Keplerian Revolution<\/em>, 1983, steel, three surfaces, each surface: 60 x 300 x 150 cm. Furkapassh\u00f6he, The Swiss Alps<\/p>\n<\/a>Jana Sterbak, Visual artist, Montr\u00e9al. Photo: Canada Council for the Arts \/ Martin Lipman<\/p>\n<\/a>Jana Sterbak, Acteon at Home<\/em>, colour photograph, 38 x 25 cm. Photo: \u00a9Jana Sterbak<\/p>\n