After four stunning locations, 18 professional and amateur artists and 50 wildcard walk-ons, Toronto-based Nelson Cheng has won Makeful TV’s original series Landscape Artist of the Year Canada, taking home $10,000 CAD in cash, crowned Landscape Artist of the Year Canada and will have his winning painting displayed at the prestigious McMichael Canadian Art Collection. In the final episode of this four-part series, filmed at Lake Rosseau, a famous Canadian landmark known for the Group of Seven, Nelson beat out finalists Elzbieta Krawecka, Andrew Cheddie Sookrah, Denise Antaya, Tosh Jeffrey, Deborah Danelley and Mackenzie Brown. Landscape Artist of the Year Canada premiered Sunday, February 16 exclusively on Makeful TV during the channel’s eight-week free preview event running from Feb. 3 to April 5 across Canada.
Hundreds of artists applied across the country and 18 were chosen to portray some of Canada’s most iconic landscapes, responding with extraordinary works of art. Joining them, in each round, flocks of walk on artists at every level of experience were invited to compete as wildcards and each week the judges picked just one to go through to the next round. In the finale, Nelson Cheng was chosen as the standout wildcard to participate in the final challenge alongside the six professional and amateur finalists.
“I thought it was a big win just showing up as a wildcard to paint,” said Nelson Cheng, Winner, Landscape Artist of the Year Canada. “I felt good about it and now to win, I’m completely speechless. This win is life changing. I feel very fortunate to have been a part of this wonderful experience and humbled to have been chosen to paint alongside such a talented group of artists. I’m hoping with this achievement I can propel my art career to the next level.”
“Nelson’s work consolidated quality drawing and painting skills, a great colour sense and his freedom of expression was lyrical,” said Joanne Tod, Judge, Landscape Artist of the Year Canada.
“Nelson managed to make me like colours that I don’t like,” said Marc Mayer, Judge, Landscape Artist of the Year Canada. “You’ve got to win some kind of prize for that.”
Nelson Cheng is a self-taught professional artist with a Bachelor of Honours from York University/Sheridan Institute and a Masters of Architecture from the University of Toronto. Influenced by a design background, his artistic approach relies heavily on patterns, abstractions, shapes, forms, perspectives and geometry. Nelson’s work explores ideas and narratives from lived experiences and are often interpreted through landscape and urban subject matter of his surroundings.
Nelson’s winning artwork will be available for public viewing at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection from March 9 – April 19 in the Founders’ Lounge, one of the most storied locations in the heart of the McMichaels’ former home. His work will be displayed on an easel belonging to Tom Thomson and was subsequently used by A. Y. Jackson of the Group of Seven alongside a framed vinyl display explaining the work’s presence to the public.
Tonight’s episode of Landscape Artist of the Year Canada encores Tuesday, March 10 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Makeful and the entire series will repeat in a marathon on Sunday, March 15 starting at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT on Makeful. Landscape Artist of the Year Canada will also air Thursday nights at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, beginning March 12 on Cottage Life TV.
Landscape Artist of the Year Canada is produced by marblemedia, in association with Blue Ant Media and CBC. Based on the UK format, it is distributed by Banijay Rights, and was originally produced by Storyvault Films. Carly Spencer is the Series Producer with Matt Hornburng and Mark Bishop serving as Executive Producers. Graeme Lynch is the Director and Carly Spencer is the Story Editor. Overseeing the series for Makeful TV is Sam Linton, Head of Original Content for Blue Ant Media. Following the world premiere on Makeful TV, CBC will air the series later this year.
