CA · International contemporary art platformThe Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ), in collaboration with Culture Bas-Saint-Laurent (CBSL) and Le Devoir, has presented the Prix du CALQ – Artiste de l’année au Bas-Saint-Laurent to photographer Joan Sullivan. The award was given during the event "Unis par la culture : depuis 50 ans," which marked the 50th anniversary of Quebec's regional cultural councils. Sullivan received a monetary prize of $15,000, presented by Véronique Fontaine, president and CEO of CALQ.
Sullivan is recognized for her distinctive artistic practice that thoughtfully combines art and science, encouraging a rich and contemporary reflection. Her work moves away from an anthropocentric perspective, shaped in part by ongoing collaboration with oceanographers from the Institut des sciences de la mer (ISMER) at the Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR).
After studying artistic practice at UQAR, Sullivan developed an interdisciplinary approach, collaborating with musicians, poets, and scientists. These collaborations have enabled her photographic work to evolve into a contemporary, conceptual, and multidisciplinary practice.
Her immersive installations engage audiences through tactile and sound elements, inviting them to experience photography beyond the visual. Living and working in Bas-Saint-Laurent, Sullivan draws inspiration from the Saint Lawrence River, which influences her increasingly installation-based and ephemeral works—serving as metaphors for impermanence in a changing world.
Since 2026, Sullivan has served on the Public Art Expert Committee for the City of Rimouski. The CALQ award highlights her significant contributions to the vitality of Quebec’s culture and supports creators who stand out for the excellence of their achievements and their exceptional involvement in the community.
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