Much of my artwork reflects my encounters with others who have been crucial to my journey. Some of these encounters have been painful, others have been nurturing. I cherish them for the strength they have given me, which I share in my story as an artist.
In the exhibition Braveheart, I weave together moments where my heart broke as I struggled to make my way through life. I reflect on artworks that I have recreated throughout many years of my practice. Rather than exhibit an entire series, I gather individual gems to present a poetic account of my search and lived experience from my childhood until now.
The show tells of a tender-hearted girl making her way in a world that she tried to make sense of: not fitting into prescribed gender practices in the 1960s; coping with the turmoil of her coming of age and coming out during the feminist revolution of the 70s; finding love and heartbreak in the 80s; continued searching for cultural identity and taking heroic measures in the 90s; and experiencing her spiritual revolution in the 2000s.
I have struggled to find both my place in the world and peace in my soul. Although I have found answers to the searching throughout my life, I still have a searching spirit.
This exhibition was shown at the J.W. Stellick Gallery, Ottawa School of Art from October 10 to November 17, 2024
