TORONTO, ON - April 29, 2014 /CNW - Scotiabank names Mark Ruwedel as the winner of the fourth annual Scotiabank Photography Award (SPA), announced Tuesday evening at a ceremony held at the Ryerson Image Centre in Toronto. This prestigious award includes a $50,000 cash prize, a solo Primary Exhibition at the 2015 Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival and a book of the winner's work to be published and distributed globally by world-renowned art publisher Steidl.

The Scotiabank Photography Award is Canada's largest annual peer nominated and peer reviewed celebration of excellence in Canadian contemporary photography, designed to raise the international profile of an established Canadian photographic artist.

"I've followed the development of Mark Ruwedel's work with keen interest for over thirty years," says Edward Burtynsky, Chair of the Scotiabank Photography Award jury and co-founder of the Award. "He is a master of seeing and printing and has inspired countless landscape photographers. Mark's eye for detail and his subtle perceptions about the intersection of -- and commentary upon -- the historic versus contemporary in landscape photography remains matchless. As this year's Scotiabank Photography Award winner, we have no doubt that Mark will continue producing work that inspires future generations of image makers towards excellence."

As the 2014 SPA recipient, Ruwedel joins an exclusive group of artists that includes Stan Douglas, Lynne Cohen and Arnaud Maggs, contemporaries honoured with the Scotiabank Photography Award in years past.

Ruwedel first became interested in photography while studying painting at Kutztown State College, Pennsylvania and later moved to Montreal to pursue graduate studies in photography at Concordia University. His career spans three decades, revealing a photographic interest in the contemporary landscape and the nature-culture dynamic. An accomplished master of his craft, Ruwedel has several bodies of work already published in print; Ruwedel's latest book, "Pictures of Hell" will be released this fall.

The Scotiabank Photography Award was created by Edward Burtynsky, one of Canada's most respected art photographers, and Jane Nokes, Director of Scotiabank Archives, Corporate Records and Fine Art. Burtynsky serves as Chair of the jury and Nokes is the Award's Executive Director.

"Mark Ruwedel's compelling body of work invites us on a journey through the lens of a truly talented artist, which reinforces why we first established the Scotiabank Photography Award," says Nokes. "We're proud to put a spotlight on Ruwedel's photographic career that led to this very special occasion and we're excited to see where his career takes him next."

Ruwedel was selected from a group of three finalists, which includes Don Weber and Rodney Graham, by a jury of some of photography's most respected experts:

• Robert Bean, Professor at NSCAD University; Artist, Writer and Curator
• Catherine Bédard, Deputy-Director of the Canadian Cultural Centre; Art Historian
• Ann Thomas, Curator, Photographs Collection, National Gallery of Canada

Ruwedel will have a solo Primary Exhibition at the Ryerson Image Centre (RIC) during the 2015 Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival. The RIC and Scotiabank are pleased to announce that the RIC will continue to host the Scotiabank Photography Award winner's CONTACT exhibition over the next three years. 

In addition to this Award, Scotiabank is committed to supporting the arts through its involvement in numerous festivals and events, including Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, the Scotiabank Giller Prize, the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival, Scotiabank Buskerfest and the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival.

"Scotiabank has a history of supporting the arts in communities through our global philanthropic Bright Future program," says Jacquie Ryan, Scotiabank Vice President, Sponsorships and Partnerships Programs. "Our customers have long recognized that as individuals we gain much more than we give when we connect with the arts, and it is our goal to help everyone find their artistic inspiration. With this award, Scotiabank is committed to supporting Canadian contemporary photography and we are proud to celebrate Ruwedel's work."

2013 Scotiabank Photography Award winner, Stan Douglas debuts his solo Primary Exhibition during this year's Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival. Members of the public are invited to visit Douglas' gallery of work free of charge at the Ryerson Image Centre (33 Gould Street, Toronto) from May 1 to June 1, 2014.

For more information about the Scotiabank Photography Award, winner, finalists, jury and prize, please visit the website atwww.scotiabankphotoaward.com.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is a leading financial services provider in over 55 countries and Canada's most international bank. Through Bright Future, our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level across six pillars: health, education, social services, arts and culture, environment and sports. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has contributed on average some $50 million annually over the last five years to community causes around the world. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

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