Player Piano Waltz detail (Part of Secret Citadel) 2013 | mixed media sculpture/video installation | 214 x 154 x 120 cm
photo credit: Art Gallery of Hamilton

The Sobey Art Award is Canada's pre-eminent award for contemporary Canadian art. The annual prize is given to an artist under age 40, who has exhibited in a public or commercial art gallery within 18 months of being nominated.

Originating from Saskatoon, Graeme Patterson (b. 1980) now lives in Sackville, NB. His intention as an artist is to bring the viewer in to the world of play he exists in while creating miniature worlds based on personal memories and experiences.

Graeme's practice stems from a self-taught method of producing stop-motion animations but has expanded into building large video/sculptural installations. These installations consist of animation, sculptural models, robotics, sound, music and some interactive elements. Graeme's inspiration comes from a desire to constantly develop an alternate reality that stimulates reflective engagement with universal themes of longing, loss and recovery.

Since graduating from NSCAD in 2002 his work has shown nationally and internationally including several solo exhibitions at significant Canadian art galleries. Some of his recent accomplishments include; 2012 Canada Council for The Arts Victor Martyn Lynch-Staunton Award (media arts) Atlantic finalist for the 2009 Sobey Art Award, finalist for the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Masterworks Arts Award, and a 2011 Juno award nomination for album package of the year. Graeme recently completed a new body of work entitled Secret Citadel, which is currently exhibiting as a national solo tour.