2025 Saidye Bronfman Award Winner
We are thrilled to celebrate Peter Pierobon, a distinguished furniture designer based in British Columbia, for receiving the Saidye Bronfman Award for Excellence in Fine Craft. This prestigious honour is presented annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to the development of fine crafts in Canada.
With a career spanning over four decades, Peter has explored the sculptural possibilities of furniture, particularly using wood. Drawing inspiration from nature and ancient texts, his work seamlessly blends functionality with artistic expression. Exhibited both nationally and internationally, his creations are housed in the permanent collections of several renowned institutions, including the Smithsonian Institution (Washington, D.C.), the Museum of Arts and Design (New York City, USA), the Canadian Museum of History (Gatineau, Quebec), the Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto, Ontario), and the Philadelphia Museum of Art (Philadelphia, USA), among others.
“Pierobon elevates his creations beyond mere functionality, embedding them with layers of meaning and introspection. His body of work stands as a testament to the transformative power of craftsmanship, transcending the confines of utility to evoke a profound sense of beauty, purpose, and narrative resonance.”
Anthony Matthews, Nominator, independent curator, and a founding organizer of the Salt Spring National Art Prize
The Saidye Bronfman Award is part of the Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts (GGArts), which annually celebrate Canada’s outstanding artists. Administered by the Canada Council for the Arts, this award ensures that fine craft artists receive national recognition alongside their peers in visual and media arts.
The Canadian Crafts Federation extends heartfelt congratulations to Peter Pierobon and all of the 2025 GGArts recipients. Their invaluable contributions continue to shape and enrich Canada’s vibrant cultural landscape.
Learn More:
You can ead more about Peter Pierobon’s practice and the Saidye Bronfman Award here. Be sure to read the profile coming in the Spring/Summer edition of Studio Magazine.
You can explore the work of the 2025 GGArts laureates online here, or experience it in person at the National Gallery of Canada, where their art will be featured throughout the Gallery’s Canadian art collection.
Image credit: Peter Pierobon, Speak Easy, 1990, ebonized wood, 198.12 cm x 81.28 cm x 55.88 cm. Private collection. Photo credit: Dominic Chielli