Nicholas Galanin, a Lingít and Unangax̂ artist based in Sitka, Alaska, has won the Don Tyson Prize for the Advancement of American Art – awarded by the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. He will receive USD$200,000 in recognition of his work’s impact.
‘Nicholas Galanin’s work is a celebration of the rich cultural heritage, spiritual beliefs, and deep connection to the land of Indigenous peoples. We are inspired by his talent and are thrilled to award him with the fifth Don Tyson Prize. He’s a bold artist who creates thought-provoking work. Nicholas has impacted the field through innovation, creative thinking, and risk-taking,’ Olivia Tyson said in a statement, on behalf of the Foundation.
Galanin learned jewellery making and carving from his father and grandfather before studying at London Guildhall University and later the Massey University in New Zealand. His work critiques colonialism and celebrates Indigenous culture.
The Don Tyson Prize, founded in 2016, is awarded biennially to living individuals or institutions in the USA ‘who have changed the way we look at, think about, or experience American art’.
