2010 Finalist
Creator: Graeme Patterson
Nominator: Ray Cronin
Graeme Patterson’s Grudge Match encompasses a multi-faceted sculptural installation and a stop-motion animated film. Linking an autobiographical reminiscence of his long lost childhood friend with an imaginary freestyle wrestling match between the friends, Patterson’s installation takes the form of an oversized bunk-bed (housing a miniature gymnasium and other carefully crafted scenarios) that simultaneously acts as a resonant object in itself and as the set for the animated film. This engaging work displays a technical mastery equal to the size of its vision, adroitly manipulating scale and time, superhero fantasies and boyhood memories, combining disparate parts into a fully-realised and satisfying whole. Grudge Match was created for the 2009 Sobey Art Award shortlist exhibition, for which Patterson was the Atlantic Region finalist.
Brief bio: Graeme Patterson was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1980 and currently resides in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He studied at Dundas Valley School of Art (Ontario), the University of Saskatchewan, and the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (BFA 2002). His multi-disciplinary installations have been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions across Canada and his work is held in private and public art collections, including the National Gallery of Canada. He was the 2009 Sobey Award Finalist for the Atlantic Region.
