Audie Murray awarded ohpinamake Indigenous art prize at USask
The Saskatchewan-based Métis artist lifts others through her work
Audie Murray is the newest winner of ohpinamake, an annual Indigenous art award presented by the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
The $10,000 prize was created in 2021 through a donation by Jim and Marian Knock. It celebrates a practicing Indigenous artist whose work empowers and uplifts other people. In nêhiyawêwin (Cree), ohpinamake means “to lift others.”
Murray is a multi-disciplinary Cree-Métis and Michif artist from Saskatchewan. She works with themes of contemporary Indigenous culture and ideas of duality and connectivity, drawing on time-honoured techniques and contemporary concepts to inform her material choices.
“Being the recipient of this award is so special. I put a lot of myself into my practice and prioritize the love and care of those I am working with, and to see that intention acknowledged by my peers is a huge honour. I really respect the practices of the previous recipients, the shortlisted artists and all those involved with the ohpinamake Award. Marsee!” said Murray.
Murray will be presented with the award at a ceremony today, March 14, at 4 pm at the Kenderdine Art Gallery. The artist will also give a presentation about her work and its connection to ohpinamake.
Murray earned a Diploma in Visual Arts at Camosun College and a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Regina. She is the previous recipient of the BMO 1st Art! Prize, the William and Meredith Saunderson Prize for Emerging Artists, and a Salt Spring National Art Prize Juror’s Choice Award. Her work has been shown in solo and group exhibitions at museums and galleries across Canada and in the United States.
Murray’s solo exhibition Pawatamihk was installed last fall in the Kenderdine Art Gallery at USask.
The ohpinamake Prize for Indigenous Artists is organized by the USask Art Galleries and Collection. A jury of artists and cultural workers—Tarah Hogue, Felicia Gay and 2024 ohpinamake recipient Joi Arcand—selected this year’s recipient.
The other artists shortlisted for the 2025 prize were Priscilla Boulay, Brody Burns, Vanessa Hyggen and Natesa Medlicott-Kappo.
USask invites donations to the ohpinamake fund. Contributions can be made online.
Related Articles
Ten Indigenous College of Arts and Science students honoured with USask achievement awards
Nearly 50 Indigenous USask students received awards during ceremony on March 13
Q&A: Indigenous USask student creates opportunities for Saskatoon youth to explore digital spaces
USask School for the Arts student Jolon Lafond to receive Indigenous Student Achievement Award in recognition of community engagement work