Diana Thorneycroft is the 2016 Manitoba Arts Award of Distinction recipient. The recognition comes with $30,000 for the artist, and is the Manitoba Arts Council’s award for the highest level of excellence and long-term achievements of an artist in Manitoba.
“Congratulations to Diana for this well-deserved recognition,” said Aimée Craft, Chair of the Manitoba Arts Council. “It is a remarkable achievement to be recognized by your peers and awarded this honour. It speaks to Diana’s innovative work which continues to provoke thought and expand our understanding of the world that surrounds us.”
“Receiving this award is a validation of the risks I have taken as an artist. Although it sometimes gets me into trouble, I have always endeavored to make work that is authentic and honest,” said Thorneycroft. “As a feminist and teacher, I hope to be a role model to younger artists seeking to express – without censorship – their own voice. I am deeply grateful to be nominated by MAWA, and to my peers who selected me for this honour. As always, I feel fortunate to live in such a vibrant and supportive community.”
“For many Manitoba artists, Diana is a mentor. She is continually giving of herself as an investment towards the success of others. As a teacher and advisor, she has fostered values that reflect her own: professionalism, artistic excellence and risk-taking,” said nominator, Yvette Cenerini, Chair, Award Committee, Mentoring Artists for Women Artists. “In many ways, the arts community benefits from her support, resourcefulness, volunteerism and engagement. This award not only recognizes her artistic achievements, but also represents a full community of artists and patrons’ appreciation for everything she does.”
Thought-provoking, and sometimes controversial, Diana Thorneycroft has exhibited various works across Canada, the United States, and Europe, as well as in Moscow, Tokyo, and Sydney. Recently, she was also awarded a Manitoba Arts Council Major Grant to complete Black Forest (dark water) a new series of digital photos.
Since 2005, Diana Thorneycroft has been making photographs that focus on Canadian history and identity. Her series Group of Seven Awkward Moments has been exhibited at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, the Carleton University Art Gallery, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, The Reach Museum Gallery (Abbotsford), the Art Gallery of Windsor ,and the Canadian Cultural Centre in Paris. The following series A People’s History, has been shown at the Art Gallery of Calgary, Art Mûr (Montreal), and the Art Gallery of Regina.
Several pieces from these two bodies of work are currently on display at the Buhler Gallery at the St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg. Altered States: The ordinary Transformed, an exhibition with Aganetha Dyck. www.galeriebuhlergallery.ca is on until May 15th.
Diana Thorneycroft’s Herd is also on exhibit at the Tom Thompson Gallery in Owen Sound, Ontario. www.tomthomson.org
More information about Diana Thorneycroft and her work is at www.dianathorneycroft.com
The Manitoba Art Award of Distinction recognizes the highest level of artistic excellence and distinguished career achievement by a professional Manitoba artist in any art form. Nominations for the Manitoba Arts Award of Distinction are assessed by a jury of peers and the award is given out every two years.
The Manitoba Arts Council promotes, preserves, supports and advocates for the arts as essential to the quality of life of all the people of Manitoba and envisions a province with a creative spirit brought about by arts at the heart of community. More information about the Manitoba Arts Council is at www.artscouncil.mb.ca
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For interviews and more information, contact:
Nadine Delisle
Director, Communications and Community Engagement
Manitoba Arts Council
204.945.0646
ndelisle@artscouncil.mb.ca
