HALIFAX -- A pair of Air Jordan basketball sneakers that cost a couple of hundred bucks has helped earn Brian Jungen $50,000.

The Vancouver artist was honoured last night with the first ever Sobey Art Award; he was chosen from among five finalists from across the country.

Installation artist David Hoffos, of Lethbridge, Alta., was named runner-up at the reception at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.

Mr. Jungen, 32, was the shortlist's West Coast representative. He creates three-dimensional works using everyday objects and consumer goods as a way of making statements on social culture.

The standout piece in his exhibition, installed at the AGNS for the Sobey Art Award, is a disassembled pair of Nike Air Jordan basketball shoes. The red, white and black high-tops have been reconfigured into snarling Northwest Coast Indian masks, one complete with fierce black hair.

He used part of a Canada Council grant to purchase the shoes back in 1999, taking inspiration from a visit to a Niketown store.

Mr. Jungen appeared stunned when grocery magnate Donald Sobey announced his name before the 250 guests. At the podium, he could not suppress his grin, and gave a nervous thank-you speech. His gratitude was genuine.

"I'm overwhelmed," he said. "Totally honoured. I only hope I can provide some inspiration for people coming behind me to produce contemporary art."

He said he would use the money to start several art projects that have been financially beyond his reach.

"It's always a problem, finding money to make art," he said. "This is such a generous award."

Patterned after England's Turner Prize, the Sobey Art Award will be given every two years with different major galleries playing host in one the regions the finalists represented: the Atlantic provinces, Quebec, Ontario, the Prairies and the North, and the West Coast.

Mr. Hoffos, representing the Prairies and the North, uses models, film, video and projections, referencing science fiction to create complex optical illusions.

Colleen Wolstenholme, of Hantsport, N.S., carves gigantic pharmaceuticals out of plaster. And not just any old drugs, but the trendiest ones -- Xanax, Paxil and Valium. Installation artist Jean-Pierre Gauthier of Montreal was nominated for his work that thrives on automating. He incorporates sound and motion detectors in an attempt to create disorder.

Toronto-based artist Marla Hlady produces interactive kinetic installations combining robotics, dissembled toys and sensors.

The judging panel was made up of five curators whose decision on both the winner and runner-up was unanimous.

Ray Cronin of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Pierre Landry of the Le Musée d'Art Contemporain, Jessica Bradley of the Art Gallery of Ontario, James Patten of the Winnipeg Art Gallery and Bruce Grenville of the Vancouver Art Gallery, debated six hours yesterday before deciding.