Artwork First Prize: Rosalie Dipcsu, Make Your Way, 2023
Rosalie Dipcsu, Make Your Way
In her award-winning artwork, titled, Make Your Way, Rosalie Dipcsu captures the essence of adaptability and resilience necessary both within her community and globally. Dipcsu is a Squamish Elder and artist who brings her First Nations heritage into vivid representation through her art. This piece invites viewers on a journey from ancestral lands into the bustling “Concrete World of Progression,” encouraging them to find their footing and direction with each step, embracing life as it unfolds.
The illustration prominently features an osprey painted by the artist, soaring above the Lions Peaks, known as Ch’ích’iyúy Elx̱wíḵn (“Twin Sisters” or “Two Sisters”) in Squamish, symbolizing the strength and courage required to navigate life’s transitions. The osprey, known for its solitary and perilous migrations, embodies the individual’s journey through challenging yet fulfilling paths, accentuated by the ongoing threats of climate change and habitat destruction. In the spiritual context of Dipcsu’s Indigenous culture, the osprey signifies qualities such as determination, creativity, and impeccable timing.
Dipcsu also integrates her artistic expression with modern technology, engaging in graphic design to blend traditional themes with contemporary media. This work is a testament to the enduring spirit, urging all to navigate the world with courage and foresight, as reflected in the life and migration of the osprey.
Rosalie Dipcsu
Rosalie Dipcsu Williams was a member Stat’lmic Nation of Mount Currie, British Columbia, Canada. She has since married John Williams and is now a proud member of Squamish Nation. She was born in 1960, at the Bralorne Mines Hospital. In her early childhood she became separated from her family when her mother Evelyn Peters tragically passed away. Rosalie was raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, in the care of the Woods family. When she became of age, she became interested in finding her place of origin and reacquainting herself with her family and background. She lived in the heart of Vancouver where she gained knowledge and compassion for people from all walks of life. In the process, she became aware of her native spirituality, which in turn led her to find her natural ability as a visionary artist. Rosalie’s concepts and colour theories captivate her viewers; graphics, landscapes and ghost imaging are balanced alongside a retained authenticity to her native culture.
Artwork Honourable Mention: Harem Tahir, Seeking Safety, 2023
Harem Tahir, Seeking Safety
In Seeking Safety, Harem Tahir channels a poignant narrative of adversity and resilience, drawing from a personal history marred by the ravages of war and the universal plight of those caught in its grasp. This painting serves as a profound statement on the indomitable human spirit facing disaster and displacement. Through evocative depictions of children, Tahir symbolically distills the journey of countless young lives — a journey marked not by the joys of childhood but by survival against overwhelming odds. These images are not just visual representations but are imbued with the weight of lost innocence and the harsh realities of conflict.
Tahir asserts that, while he may not have solutions to these global crises, he cannot remain passive. Through his art, he shoulders the responsibility of amplifying the stories of millions who, regardless of origin, religion, or race, endure the consequences of global upheaval. As a testament to resilience, his piece also explores the transformative impact of migration on identity — how the displaced must often start anew, forging identities in unfamiliar lands under challenging circumstances. The work is a reflection not only of loss but also of hope and the relentless pursuit of safety and stability.
Harem Tahir
Harem was born in Halabja, Kurdistan, during the upheaval of the Iraqi regime. He spent his early years amidst war and displacement, enduring over nine years in refugee camps with his family. Harem holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art and completed the Master Teacher Trainer Program at Birmingham College in Erbil, Kurdistan. Previously, he taught at the Educational Development Institute of Kurdistan and is a recognized member of Kurdistan’s art syndicate.
Harem’s artistic journey includes over 40 exhibitions, with 8 being solo shows. His documentary, “Harem Memories of Home,” won acclaim at the MENA Film Festival in Vancouver, Canada. Committed to humanitarian efforts, he has worked extensively with organizations aiding refugees and led educational and therapeutic art initiatives for children in Iraqi refugee camps.
Since moving to Canada, Harem has continued his advocacy, volunteering with non-profits in British Columbia to support refugees. He uses his art to raise awareness and funds for refugee children, holding classes and auctioning his paintings. His work has gained attention in Canadian media through features and exhibitions. Currently, Harem works at the Immigrant Services Society of BC, helping new refugees settle in British Columbia, and teaches art at the Anvil Centre.
Find out more about Harem and his work at haremtahir.art.
Poetry First Prize: Jiaqi Wang, Territory Is a Trampoline, 2023
Jiaqi Wang
Jiaqi (Rosemary) Wang is currently a first year PhD student in Anthropology at UBC. She is from an ancient capital city with Buddhist legacies and peony blossoms, Luoyang. Before moving to Vancouver, she was based in England and Shanghai. Her works explore medicine, healing, the body, sound and music, and global Asia. She is a poet, a storyteller, a singer, a music blogger, a medical anthropologist-to-be, a curious explorer of the world, a free being. She self-published her first poetry collection Humanoid Landforms (《人形地貌》) in 2022.
