Vancouver artist Steven Shearer has been named the winner of the 2026 Audain Prize for the Visual Arts, receiving one of Canada's major honours for contemporary visual art.

The award was announced in Vancouver on September 23, with Shearer receiving a C$100,000 prize. Now in its 23rd year, the Audain Prize recognizes outstanding contributions to the visual arts in British Columbia and Canada.

Shearer's practice spans painting, sculpture, photography and mixed media, with his work exploring subjects including memory, isolation, popular culture and art history. His work has been exhibited internationally, including in Europe and North America.

The artist has developed a distinctive body of work that brings together different visual references and materials. His approach has helped establish a strong presence for Vancouver's contemporary art community on the international stage.

The 2026 Audain Prize adds another major recognition to Shearer's career and highlights the continued development of British Columbia's contemporary visual-arts scene.

The award announcement comes during a busy period for Canada's art sector, with galleries and museums across the country presenting new exhibitions and programming for the fall season.