Visual artist Maria Ezcurra and puppeteer Salim Hammad won the Charles Biddle Prize. The first in the regional component and the second in the national and international component. The two winners were revealed Friday afternoon during Quebec Week of Intercultural Encounters.
Posted at 5:10 p.m.
Visual artist Maria Ezcurra, who was born in Argentina, grew up in Mexico and now lives in Montreal, has focused her artistic practice on the theme of migration. She presented a solo last year at Projet Casa. Actor and comedian Adib Alkhalidey and director Clarissa Rebouças were the other finalists.
The other winner, Salim Hammad, is the artistic co-director of the puppet company L’os de bois. The artist of Kabyle origin, who makes his puppets, collaborated with Les Sages Fous and L’Illusion Théâtre. The other finalists in the national and international section were cellist Juan Sebastián Delgado and choreographer Isabelle Van Grimde.
The Charles Biddle Prize is awarded annually in collaboration with the Culture pour tous organization. It highlights the exceptional contribution of people who immigrated to Quebec and whose personal or professional commitment contributes to the cultural and artistic development of the province. The two winners receive a scholarship of $5,000 each.
Charles Biddle was a double bassist born in Philadelphia, who contributed to the influence of Montreal jazz upon his arrival in the metropolis at the age of 22. He notably founded the club which bears his name, Biddle’s. He died in 2003 at the age of 77.
