Iranian-born Quebecer Anahita Norouzi is one of five Canadian artists on the shortlist for the Sobey Prize in Contemporary Visual Arts.

The multidisciplinary artist, originally from Tehran, Iran, has been working in Montreal since 2018 on a wide variety of materials, touching on sculpture, installation, photography and video. Her work is inspired by marginalized histories and the legacy of explorations in botany and archeology.

The other four finalists are Séamus Gallagher, Michèle Pearson Clarke, Kablusiak and Gabrielle L’Hirondelle Hill.

“The works of the five finalists take a look at many pressing issues of our time, including the solidarities and representation of 2SLGBTQ communities, as well as critical issues regarding the diasporic experience and Canadian identity,” said Jonathan Shaughnessy , Director, Conservation Initiatives at the NGC and Chair of the 2023 Sobey Art Award Jury.

Works by the five finalists will be exhibited at the National Gallery of Canada (NGC) in Ottawa from October 13 to March 3. The winner will be announced in November. Winnipeg visual artist Divya Mehra won the $100,000 prize in 2022.