Unveiling the 13th Glenn Gould Prize Portrait
December 2, 2021
The Glenn Gould Foundation is proud to reveal the official portrait of the 13th Glenn Gould Prize laureate, Alanis Obomsawin.
Since the first Glenn Gould Prize in 1987, the Foundation has commissioned a leading photographer to create a portrait that will stand as a lasting tribute to the laureate’s creative work, public engagement and the enlightenment that their art has brought to society.
On October 5, 2021, the day after she received her Glenn Gould Prize, Alanis Obomsawin presented herself at a specially prepared studio space at Toronto’s Yorkville Royal Sonesta Hotel. Portrait photographer Dave Starrett found the perfect light and pose to capture Alanis’s sense of poise and dignity, as well as the lively humour and compassion that dances across her eyes.
Said Starrett, “I’ve photographed thousands of people over the past 30 years. While it’s always gratifying to spend even a few minutes with someone I’m meeting for the first time, it’s especially memorable to photograph someone as inspirational as Alanis. Spending time with motivating and caring personalities brings out the best in all of us. It was a pleasure to spend time getting to know Alanis, and to express what I experienced of her character, passion and strength in creating this image.”
The portrait will be placed on permanent display alongside the previous Glenn Gould Prize laureates in the lobby of the Glenn Gould Studio at the CBC Toronto Broadcast Centre.
