Artist Statement:
We are all creators, builders, assemblers. My new work consists of drawings of urban spaces. Originally it is inspired by my childhood memories of playing with Lego (the act of gathering random pieces, assembling, deconstructing and stacking them). I use alternative drawing materials (industrial debris, wrapping papers, clothes patterns, embroidery threads, wire, light and shadow) to cut, stack, assemble and build these whimsical spaces. Materials are charged with stories in their physicality, colour and the form they hold. The series explores the boundaries between painting, drawing, collage and sculpture.
My process involves working with abstract marks (flat shapes, lines, solid colours and shallow forms) and assembling them together in ways that exude glimpses of urbanity while maintaining their abstract quality. The space is static; however, it appears to be happening and interactive. I am intrigued by these existing dualities. The events of the past, present and future occur simultaneously in one place, on the drawing board, off the drawing board, in our memories, in the materials and in our minds. They constantly place their mark physically and metaphysically.
Shadow with its immediacy and unanticipated impact adds another dimension to the unexpected and unfolding stories in these spaces. The drawings are placed in a 3-inch deep Plexiglas frames that allow light to enter the space and create shadows. The shadows work themselves through the space and also make their marks. Events are occurring and unfolding in ways that are unpredictable to me and to others.
Education:
2011-2012 University of British Columbia, B.Ed
2007-2009 Le Cordon Bleu Paris, Le Grand Diploma
1997-2002 University of Waterloo, Honours Fine Arts
2002-2003 Sheridan College, Post Graduate New Media Design
Awards & Distinctions:
2012-2013 ArtStart, artist in the classroom residency, Vancouver
2012 Recipient of Leon Tuey Scholarship in Art Education, UBC, Vancouver
2009 Recipient of Honorary “Mention Bien”, Le Cordon Bleu, Paris, London,
and Ottawa.
2006 Honorary Appreciation Grant, Granville Island, Vancouver
2003 Student Scholar, Sheridan College, Oakville
Professional/Teaching Experience:
International Baccalaureate Visual Arts Specialist for DP. MYP, and PYP Programs.
Exhibitions:
2015 A Novel Collision, The Old Foundry Building, Vancouver
2015 The Gathering, Roam Gallery, Vancouver
2013 Colourplay, Pendulum Gallery, Vancouver
2012 Text-tile, Volution Gallery, Vancouver
2011 QR, Old Foundry Building, Vancouver
2011 Little Gems, Beaumont Gallery, Vancouver
2009 Art for Life, Elliott Louis Gallery, Vancouver
Artistic Influences:
Cy Twombly, Alexander Calder, Sally Smart, Peter Fischli and David Weiss
Artist Tags:
painting, drawing, collage, vancouver, abstract
