Pommes Maison

December 8, 2011

Pommes Maison was an installation I created for the Land Art Mont-St-Hilaire festival in Québec from October 12th to the 16th 2011, where I was one of 10 artists invited to create sculptures in a working apple orchard within 4 days. It was a challenge to find and harvest my materials and then construct my piece in such a short time frame, in all weather but it was well worth it. On October 16, the exhibition opened to the public and I witnessed people of all ages interact with the apple/skirt/shelter. My sculpture was constructed around an apple tree and consisted …

Laurel Suffragette

December 7, 2011

In September 2011, Laurel Suffragette was created and conceived as a character coming from the late Victorian age, who had been active in the emancipation of women and the garment industry of her day, who had fought for reforms and safety in the manufacture area. Miss Laurel Green-Fairfashion was curious to see how the future had turned out, so she took a stroll down Robsonstrasse, Vancouver’s fashion district, to see what shoppers had to say regarding eco-fashion. The interventions varied from long one on one conversations, to people ignoring her because they suspected she was selling something, to having her picture taken with babies, to engaging …

Maple Flapper Jumper

July 29, 2011

The Maple Flapper Jumper symbolizes hope for new beginnings. Fresh off the boat and in honour of her new Canadian home, she wears a dress of Sycamore Maple Tree Seeds, which resembles the liberated woman of the 1920’s. Emancipated from the Victorian corset and with her unincombered boyish bob, she is now able to move freely and make her mark in this new port. As a young entrepreneur, will she open a garment factory that pays a living wage to its workers, or will she become disillusioned and turn it into a sweatshop? Her future is still a mystery but she …

Art Is Land Network

July 29, 2011

I am a founding member of The Art Is Land Network, a Vancouver based group of artists who work within the environmental art genre. The common thread for these 9 artists is their engagement with landscape. From September 8 to the 18th 2011, we will be hosting our first exhibition, art (IS)LAND on Granville Island with 11 outdoor installations. Under the theme: the island as microcosm of the world, the artists will employ natural and repurposed materials to engage the public in the various aspects of this popular urban site, such as history, industry, boating and local flora. The projects will be accessible …

The Mobile Garden Dress

July 27, 2011

The Mobile Garden Dress is a self-sustaining garden and shelter for the new urban nomad, complete with pots of edible plants and a hoop skirt which converts into a tent at night. This garment is 100% compostable and recyclable. It is contrusted from natural materials such as Willow, basketry reed, grasses and leaves. The hoop skirt is covered in pots containing live edible plants such as herbs and vegetables. The dress advocates for an autonomous and democratic urban lifestyle based on self-sufficiency. During the day, Madame Jardin interacts with people and engages them in conversations about plants, gardens and composting. At night she …

Stop and smell the flowers

July 4, 2011

The Lilac Swing Coat is a new addition to my Weedrobes Collection. It reminds us that the olfactory senses are a basic element in nature used by plants, animals and mammals alike. Here there is no need for manufactured artificial scent, the redolent flower itself entices our nostrils. On the day of the photo-shoot in front of the historic Marine Building, passersby stopped and took in the garment’s aroma. This manteau parfumé of fresh scented Lilac flowers epitomizes the perfume industry, in particular the seductive ads of Chanel No 5 featuring Catherine Deneuve who stood for luxury and sophistication. The coat …

IceShifts Feb 2011

February 7, 2011

I have been continuing my exploration of frozen garments in blocks of ice. This new piece is a turning point for me where I have begun to incorporate plant materials into the mix. Julie Taymor’s scene of Lavinia in her film Titus has stayed with me for a long time; her hands cut off and turned into branches. In my artwork though, the organic elements symbolize a redemption of sorts, where nature regenerates itself and life continues despite tragedy.

Nato Thompson

February 7, 2011

I went to hear Nato Thompson speak last week and I really enjoyed his energy, style and what he had to say. He is the chief curator at Creative Time, New York’s premiere public art organization. His attitude towards public art was refreshing. He advocates for art that really reaches out to the public and is not afraid to tackle the hard questions. For example he spoke about supporting a project by artist, Paul Chan which re-staged Waiting for Godot in the deep South after Hurricane Katrina. To avoid the pitfalls of creating art in a situation where there is palpable racial …

False Creek Bride 2011

February 7, 2011

If you missed our show last year, then this is the perfect opportunity to come and see our all ages performance on Granville Island. 3 shows per day for 2 days. Free with wrist bands, which are allocated from at 11am on each day. Space is limited to 25 per show. Concept and design by Nicole Dextras and storytelling and choreography by Naomi Steinberg. Click HERE to see photos of last year’s show Dates: Saturday, February 26th and Sunday, February 27th, 2011 Time: Daily, 12 – 12:30pm, 2:15 – 2:45pm & 3:30 – 4:00pm Venue: Railspur Alley Park on Granville Island The False …

The View Project Book

December 7, 2010

I have 2 photographs featured in this book, which accompanies the View Project exhibition. Blurb Books has done a great job in the design of the book. Edited by Joyce Tenneson. For your viewing pleasure, sample the entire book of great photographs here: http://www.blurb.com/books/1679017

Ice-Shifts

November 28, 2010

A recent unexpected cold snap in Vancouver BC gave me the opportunity to try out some new work that I have been thinking of for several years now. This is the beginning of a new series entitled Ice-Shifts, where I freeze deconstructed garments into blocks of ice and then photograph them. This is a further development of my previous pieces, Iceworks, where I began to randomly freeze clothing when the weather permitted. This winter i will continue this new series with the aid of my chest freezer and plan the composition and colour of each piece to create a cohesive series …

View Project

November 3, 2010

I am very proud to have been selected for The View Project, curated by Joyce Tenneson, a photographer who’s work has inspired me for many years. This is a traveling group exhibition of photographs that reveal something about the photographer’s inner life – images that are personal and powerful, yet perhaps not clearly understood, even to the viewer/photographer. The View Project will be an opportunity for each viewer to ask themselves what views, places, and moments in their own lives have left an indelible mark on them. Tenneson has also assembled a digital slideshow which will accompany the exhibition and will be projected in the galleries. …