CreateSpace Public Art Forum Gallery
As part of the 2024 CreateSpace Public Art Forum, youth and emerging artists gained networking, mentorship, and public art skills through online artist talks and peer engagement. Participants created public art proposals in response to a mock Terms of Reference (TOR).
This online gallery features artist proposals for a site in Quebec City, Quebec.
Terms of Reference (Quebec City, Quebec)
The Terms of Reference provided participants with a project brief, public art objectives, design considerations, artwork themes, community background, proposed location, and other proposal guidelines. This gallery showcases participants who designed public mural proposals on the exterior of L’Îlot des Palais (a historical and archeological site in Quebec City).
CreateSpace Public Art Forum participant mural proposals reflect the goals of:
- Reflection or preservation of the historical and archeological history of the site
- Site and place identity
- Using mural artwork as a storytelling medium
- Engagement to actively involve the local community
- Aesthetic enhancement
- Long-term preservation
“I honed skills vital for crafting a comprehensive mural proposal. From conceptualizing ideas to mastering techniques, I learned how to articulate artistic vision professionally and persuasively.”
“I greatly appreciated the breadth of topics covered in the workshops. The programming was both inspiring and tangibly helpful.”
CreateSpace Public Art Forum Participant Artwork
Hover over the image and click the arrow to see the public mural proposals and the emerging artists who created an artistic response to the site location (L’Îlot des Palais, Quebec City).
All credits and image rights go to the artists and their accompanying artwork.
Les histoires qu’on peut raconter by Akirono (he/him)
Artist statement
Les histoires qu’on peut raconter.
We never often think about the legacy we may leave behind in this world. Through accident or not and no matter the size of its impact, it’s influence on the future generations are limitless. L’Îlot des Palais today is an archeological site that can be found in Quebec city. What previously was a brewery, L’Îlot des Palais has a wild history of colonial beginnings, notorious individuals, and fires that has consumed the area 3 times. The artistic response I created called, “Les histoires qu’on peut raconter”, is a starting point for the community to get involved and share history around the area that have influenced them. The entire piece focuses on a campfire bringing comfort to those cold nights where we gather around to tell our stories with our close friends. From the smoke of the fire we are able to see different stories that archeological artifacts have held found in the top left with indigenous living in Quebec prior colonialism, in the top middle with what L’Îlot des Palais looked like back then, and at the top right portrays the obstacles in order to get to Quebec. It was important for me to include that many indigenous communities have been settled in this land and we must recognize the rich culture, their complex systems and society which was ignored. The old area of L’Îlot des Palais gives people an appreciation of the historical architecture of the buildings and a way to compare what the area looks like today. Finally, we cannot ignore the fact that the voyage from North-Western France to Quebec Canada was extremely dangerous and huge commitment to leave their lives behind. At the bottom of the of the piece it says, “De Notre histoire”, with histoire purposely being lowercase as to informally suggest that even today we are living parts of the history. The entire piece all together signifies the imagery of the fire as a symbol for story telling. This enables us to honor the fires that happened in the area without being explicit in the imagery of the mural.
Artist bio
Our childlike wonder helps us recognize that the world isn’t as bad of a place as we tend to believe. Adrielle Aquino is an artist who uses the comforts of his childhood as inspiration for his artistic identity. Born in the Phillippines on May 29, 2000, Adrielle specializes in digital illustration, traditional prints, and sculptures. Growing up in the industrial section of Taytay Rizal, he had become familiar with vintage manufacturing magazines that contained product illustrations. These magazines were present because of his father’s graphic design and silk-screen shop. Adrielle greatly admired the creative process he saw in his father’s shop, which led to his pursuit of a degree in industrial design. Adrielle enjoys combining industrial, graphic, and illustration design elements in his artwork. He primarily uses digital gouache in his artwork, which was the same medium used for vintage illustrations; graphic design elements can be found in his 8.5” by 11” composition of magazine-like ads or covers, and his illustration style is heavily influenced by Japanese animation and manga introduced to him by his father. Most recently, Adrielle has been closely using his style to express what it means to be a Filipino. He has been exploring ways to showcase Filipino immigrant struggles, experiences, pre-colonial identities, and internalized racism found in Filipino communities. Especially in recent times, it has become more prominent to fight for justice and freedom in the world. Adrielle now continues to create new work to empower and educate people, believing that everyone deserves safety,
comfort, and happiness in their lives
Bonbons by Alek
Artist statement
The Bonbons revolves around young Quebecois with multiracial or multicultural identity expressing their narratives through the integration of visual arts and technology in virtual reality composition.
According to Canada’s 2021 Census, the percentage of children under the age of 15 who had at least one foreign-born parent grew from 22.5% in 2001 to 31.5% in 20211. This demographic change is accompanied by shifts in their ethno-cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Youth shape their cultural identity through family and community experiences. Cultivating a strong sense of identity and cultural pride contributes to a sense of belonging, resilience and mental health. However, multiracial or multicultural youth encounter challenges in navigating and appreciating the diverse cultures of both parents. The Bonbons project explores how virtual reality facilitates the intergenerational connection between children and their family members, particularly in the context of defining identities in multicultural children and keeping their languages alive.
The Bonbons project aims to reflect a virtual journey, complemented by the creation of a documentary that delineates the intricacies involved in the production of this virtual reality experience. These are visual style, movement and sound which are described in relation to three core points of the children’s journey through the virtual story: (1) entering the virtual environment, (2) being in the virtual story world, and (3) affecting the story through interactive objects.
Artist bio
My artistic journey is a fusion of guiding others to explore creativity and self-expression by using artistic practices and promoting equity through arts. My teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that creativity is inherent in everyone. I employ diverse mediums, including watercolour, acrylic, oil, and virtual reality, to facilitate artistic exploration and encourage individuals to unlock their creative potential. In addition to workshops, my commitment to community engagement extends to collaborations with organizations to broaden the reach of art education. Simultaneously, as an artist, I am dedicated to preserving cultural practices and promoting equity in community development. My artistic theme revolves around connecting Eastern artistic practices and cultural heritages, with a special focus on Vietnam.
“L’Îlot des Palais the place with many occupations” by Andrea Ayittey (she/her)
Artist statement
For my artistic response, I wanted to illustrate all the things L’Îlot des Palais was used for in the past and present in a visual infographic mind map way. It was once a brewery, a palace, and an educational and Archaeological site. I presented this information in the colour of the Quebec City flag. Using simple icons, so younger kids can understand the history of the L’Îlot des Palais. For my land acknowledgement, I added the original name Kébec, which the Algonquian people named.
Artist bio
Andrea Ayittey is a Ghanaian & Dominican- Canadian Visual Artist based in Toronto, ON, Canada. She works primarily with traditional Art mediums but loves to experiment with other mediums. She likes to use a colourful palette in her art compositions. She took an Art Fundamentals program in 2022 at Seneca and is currently in an Illustration program. Andrea’s Art is inspired by an array of things such as the people in the world, emotions, and culture. She is passionate about art and learning new things every day.
« L’histoire est le plus grand enseignant. » by Aquil Virani (he/him)
Artist statement
This proposed mural by artist Aquil Virani promotes the prominence of history and historical sites as a source of education about the past, the present, and the future. The central phrase translates to “History is the greatest teacher.” The featured portraits represent the diversity of the population in Quebec City with the left-most image of Jean Talon, a prevalent figure in (settler) Quebecois history who initially commissioned the building.
Artist bio
Honoured in 2018 as the “Artist For Peace,” Aquil Virani’s collaborative art projects combine painting, drawing, filmmaking, writing, graphic design, installation, and participatory art processes. He served as the first ever national artist-in-residence at the Canadian Museum of Immigration.
Manifesting the prehistoric by Ashley Beerdat (she/her)
Artist statement
Dinosaurs are symbolic of a world in transition, moving from past and present to future. Dinosaurs allow us to acknowledge past relationships and the tension that exists when creating a harmonious relationship with land preservation and land use for human consumption. Reflecting on the strong history of the site, I wanted to bring attention to the Indigenous roots that honour and respect the site and the archaeological presence of the space. A site of interconnected histories and ancient civilizations that is evolving.
Artist bio
Ashley Beerdat is a visual artist, muralist and arts educator based in the GTA. She has a BA in Studio Art and Art History from Western University and is currently completing her Masters of Fine Arts at the University of Waterloo. She is a recipient of the SSHRC fellowship and a sessional instructor at the University of Waterloo. Her work is held in Mississauga’s permanent corporate art collection and has been exhibited at the Small Arms Inspection Building, Latitude 53, and The Artist Project.
The Kebec Story by Naive.Works (Asma Haghnegahdar)
Artist statement
From its native origins , through the progression of tenses, Rue des Prairies has a story of past, present and future, which I wanted to redesign through recurring Native Canadian motifs. This work is a story of Kebec, a reimagined place where it finds its roots again and again through years, places and people. This work represents origins of a place, while allowing for its historical journey to also peak through.
Artist bio
I am an artist with a vision for the future. My goal with my art is to provoke feelings and savour emotions that we do not get to experience when we are on the autopilot of life every day. My art goes beyond the everyday labels. It is all about transcendence yet in simple illusions; that is why I call my art Naive.Works.
After my university years in Montreal, and my year abroad experiences in France and Italy, I see the world as a fluid-shape shifter, and my art is just responding to it. Believe, feel and act, is my motto. Reality is a multi-dimensional perception and so is my art, and on a certain extent it is who I am. Dream big but take small steps is what I always strive to follow, but as a creative person, I would like to experience a thousand things at once. My biggest lesson in life and art has been to let go, have patience, and enjoy.
Home by Daisy Wu (she/her)
Artist statement
Home explores the idea of home and seeks a safe space. We constantly experience difficulty finding an affordable place to live and building a safe community in our current society. There are so many limitations to people finding a home for them to feel safe. Home always involves factors like economic, social expectations, and politics. Home roles in the process of building our identity. Home is also a place for us to escape from the world of chaos. The layered photograph layers the neighbourhood scenes with an abstract house silhouette. The soft fabric mimics the comfort blanket when you need warmth in the cold. The uneven stitches reveal the difficulty of finding resources and putting ourselves together in this difficult time. The layers hide the complicated emotions and personal past. Home is a metaphor for a stable and safe community.
Artist bio
Daisy Wu is an emerging photo-based artist and exhibition documentarian in Winnipeg. She recently graduated from the University of Manitoba School of Art in 2023. She received the University of Manitoba Undergraduate Research Award in 2020. She participated in the WNDX festival One Take Super 8 event in 2022. She taught an eco-friendly darkroom workshop at the Platform Centre in 2023. She is currently part of the Foundation Mentorship Program with Cecilia Araneda at the Mentoring Artists for Women’s Art from 2023 to 2024. She is part of the Banff Early Career Residency starting January 2024. She mainly creates photographic images through analogue methods and digital manipulation. She also works in video, installation, and found images. Her works involve topics of feminist issues regarding struggles of domestic life for women, gender respect and equality. Her works are rooted in her personal experiences and cultural identity as an immigrant to Canada. Her recent photographic work incorporates found objects installation and experimental video.
Seven by Daniella Dasilva (she/her)
Artist statement
Rooted in tradition and adorned with vibrant hues, this painting embodies the essence of the 7 grandfather teachings. Each animal symbolizes a distinct value, from wisdom to humility. With nods to Quebec’s history and natural beauty, the artwork intertwines ancestral wisdom with contemporary relevance. The inclusion of personal lineage underscores the timeless importance of honoring our predecessors and carrying forward their teachings into the future.
Artist bio
Daniella Dasilva, a Toronto-based mixed media artist, painter, and drawer, takes inspiration from the world around her to infuse vibrancy and colour into her creations. With years of experience, her dynamic artistic journey is characterized by continual experimentation and evolution.
Unsafe to hold hands /Pas sécuritaire de tenir les mains by Fernando Belote (they/iel)
Artist statement
At the CreateSpace Public Art Forum, memories of homophobic harassment surfaced in our chosen Québec City project location, igniting a desire to reclaim the site. Interpreting it through my queer narrative, woven with its history as a brewery, intendants residence, and prison, I explored how companionship could be interrupted by toxic masculinity. The artwork includes a fragment from Michelangelo’s “The Creation of Adam” to illustrate the oppression linked to male intimacy. Despite strides in Québécois queer rights, lingering symbolisms still perpetuate detrimental cis-heteronormative views in public spaces.
Artist bio
Fernando Belote is a bixa/queer and multidisciplinary artist and vice-president of the DC-Art Indisciplinaire (artist-run center for artists de la diversité capacitaire). Fern’s artistic practice is strongly expressed through their life experiences as a neurodiscordant individual and survivor of domestic violence. Fern’s art is a reaction to capitalism’s massifying and dehumanizing power and aims to reframe everyday objects towards a contra-colonial and anti-fascist struggle. Fern is currently involved in collaborative research on the P(B)ajubá, a subversive, heavily codified dialect spoken among dissidents who are geographically located in the stolen territory known as Brazil. While their practice is based in Tio’tia:ke/Mooniyang/Montréal.
La brasserie du palais (the palace brewery) by Grace Murray (she/her)
Artist statement
The Palace Brewery is a memorial that depicts a legacy of centuries of hard work and community. The site of the Palace Brewery reside on one of Québec’s most archaeologically rich sites. Starting its history as Canada’s first ever commercial brewery, then becoming multiple palaces and enduring many rebuilds, this site has been apart of Québec since 1668. In this piece I wanted to honour the history that has went in to this site and Québec. I focused mainly on the aspects of the first brewery, with nods to multiple legacy’s throughout Québec city. This mural was designed to help persevere the history of the site while making the neighborhood more joyful and culturally rich for locals and visitors to enjoy, as well as many generations to come.
Artist bio
Grace Murray is an LGBTQ+ emerging artist who focuses her practice on ceramics, sculpture, mixed media and murals. She recently graduated from BealArt, where she majored in ceramics and sculpture. Grace is most known for her 2500 sq ft mural in London, Ontario, representing The Smokestack District, where she honours the companies, buildings and communities that shaped her childhood neighbourhood.
Grace focuses on becoming a well-known artist while addressing topics such as mental health and grief with bright, colourful art and representation of her communities. She immerses herself in the art world by creating art that everyone can access and enjoy.
After overcoming adversity in her late high school years, she wants to work on connecting grieving youth through art. Grace is currently working on building her own artistic company in honour of her late father. She is inspired by her relationship with him to build a brand identity. Through this company, Grace wants to continue to explore murals, continue with her ceramic journey, make new art, and potentially dive into the artistic apparel lens, all while creating a brand identity that everyone can relate to.
Reviens courir sur les remparts by Gab Sénéchal (he/him)
Artist statement
I used the inspiration from the project to create a video clip about my city and it’s historic public space; the Old Quebec. It also is about comforting queer romance in the cold winter and featuring a local musical artist. The image I sent is the cover for the video. It represents me at the edge of the fortifications that surround the city, calling on my lover to join me to «Run on the battlements», which is a lyric in te song. This artworks showcases the beauty of my city and some people in the community, like Santa Claus who was passing by! It encapsulates the beauty but also the loneliness that can come with the cold winter months.
Artist bio
As a graduate of the Conservatoire de Québec in 2023, Gabriel is a multidisciplinary artist who delves into performance, staging, poetry, dance, and digital arts. He aims to create projects that approach societal issues such as marginalization, mental health, and sustainable development with humour and a unique perspective. Since leaving the Conservatoire de Québec in 2023, he has appeared in “The Colour of My Love,” a production by Tête de l’Art and Collectif Patate. He has also acted in and directed “Les Amazones,” showcased last summer at the Théâtre du Vieux Bureau de Poste. Additionally, he lent his voice to the radio-theatre production “Recalcul,” which aired on radio station CHOQ. He also recently produced a video clip on queer romance featuring music from local artists, which can be viewed on his youtube Channel «Gab Sénéchal.»
Era’s Echo by Just J. Art
Artist statement
Era’s Echo honors the transformation of space and humanity. It depicts the site’s state through profiles, illustrating periods, and symbolizing time’s interconnectedness. Embodying wisdom, purification, brewing, education, royalty, and technology, the mural reflects the continuity of changing purpose, yet retaining significance. This space has undergone many changes, and like humans, it holds onto the potential of continued evolution for years to come.
Artist bio
Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist, Jamera, specializes in acrylics, oil pastels, and digital art. Inspired by nature, music, culture, and spirituality, she combines real-life concepts with vivid colors and organic shapes. Just J. Art’s creations embrace creativity and imagination to change perceptions, highlighting the unordinary in the ordinary.
Echoes of Solidarity by Jon Cruz
Artist statement
In Quebec City, the echoes of heritage resonate, encapsulating a spirit of solidarity with ancestral lands. Amidst the historic cobblestone streets and iconic architecture, the city embodies a profound connection to its roots. The resilient spirit of Quebecois culture harmonizes with the echoes of generations past, fostering a collective commitment to preserving and honoring the sacred grounds that define the city’s enduring identity.
Artist bio
After graduating as an honour student from the Interpretive Illustration Program at Sheridan College in Oakville, ON, Jon lived in the Arctic for 12 years. He is a well-known graphic artist and designer who has created innovating designs that could be viewed in publications, art installations, and murals. He currently runs his own Art + Design studio called NUSKU Inc. Jon also gives back to his community as the head coach for U14 Gatineau Dragons Basketball Team.
Jon’s platform is to empower underprivileged youth to share their voice through art and sport. He feels that using his art skills help to bridge the gap between different cultural groups in society while challenging the lens of systemic oppression. His mission is to create a narrative that is often misrepresented in the media. Currently, Jon happily lives in Cantley, Quebec with his family and 3 dogs.
Brewed Unity by Kainat Ahmad (she/her)
Artist statement
Inspired by the strong, rich history of this architecture, this mural acknowledges the ancestral lands of the Huron-Wendat people that is known as Quebec. This site also stands to represent the two breweries, which is the visual focus of this mural. The artwork is meant to tie in the current community that celebrate this brewery without forgetting the people of the past who have carved their way into this land that the current population can celebrate.
Artist bio
Drawing from a traditional fine arts background, Kainat’s digital creations are firmly rooted in the principles of composition, colour theory, and proportion. Her artistic expression is deeply influenced by the vibrant hues and unconventional forms of 1970s retro design. Exploring themes of eclecticism and maximalism, Kainat’s work presents a striking contrast to her minimalist way of life. Currently, Kainat works as a Freelance Illustrator, collaborating with esteemed clients, including Adobe, The Globe and Mail, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Avalanche.
Memories by Kay Jones (they/them)
Artist statement
Within indigenous teachings (including my own) trees are the closest thing to our ancestors and the way we connect to them. Memories is about memory of the land and water of the area (the Chicoutimi River), and connection. Touch is important within memory as well as sight and drawing on both senses creates accessibility for those who are visually impaired (myself included).
Artist bio
Kay Jones (Moakpi’ksiiakkii) is a native 2-spirit/genderfluid queer artist based in Tkaronto. They desire to create and offer art-making and performance as a form of self-care and boundaryless expression. Kay is a graduate of Humber College Theatre Production and has been working in Theatre and Community Arts for a decade. Kay’s artistic practice is inter/multi-disciplinary and covers many forms of art and performance, specializing in drawing, painting, fabric arts, puppetry and theatre costumes and props.
Crafting History by Kiki Hamakazi (she/her)
Artist statement
“Crafting History” pays tribute to the history of Îlot des Palais over the years, capturing its evolution and enduring tales through a unique medium – beer coasters. The building’s façade serves as a metaphorical table; just as friends gather around a table to share drinks and stories, this installation mirrors the collective history of the place. This mural encapsulates the building’s past, present, and future, offering viewers a compelling glimpse into its transformative journey.
Artist bio
Kiki Hamazaki is a Japanese Canadian illustrator based in Toronto. After graduating from the illustration program at OCAD University in 2023, she has been challenging her creative practices by working on a variety of mediums, such as outdoor murals and graphic novels. Her work aims to represent different cultures and identities, attempting to create inclusive pieces and awareness of societal and systemic issues.
She also enjoys incorporating personal experiences of growing up in Toronto as an Asian woman and depicts them in an approachable manner using colour, humour and relatable characters. Kiki loves to portray the mundane moments of life that many tend to be missed, especially when transferred into art, and tries to squeeze in the subtle small flaws formed around the daily routine to form a universal connection of nostalgia.
Balance by Krishna Brahmania
Artist statement
Climate change is the biggest issue, and the journey of Amy Castator on
how to bring climate activism to public art resonates with my idea of “Balance”.
I have tried to portray the imbalance in nature by showing the dead plant inside the plastic bag. I have put the open question to the viewer – whether there seems to be a balance in seeing the plant growing in a closed environment or it’s an imbalance in nature, as the plant is feeling suffocated. Likewise, Amy said there are three energies – meditative energy, warrior energy and artist energy. Similarly, the ecosystem requires a balance of all living creatures. Selfish human deaths are surely affecting the nature and its power to heal the world.
Artist bio
Krishna Brahmania is a multidisciplinary artist born in Regina and raised in India. Now based in Regina, Saskatchewan, she is completing her BFA from University of Regina. Her practice focuses primarily on drawing and painting. She draws inspiration from her childhood fondness of tearing, cutting and pasting the papers and green plants. She explores themes of spaces and human forms juxtaposing with color and composition.
Remembering the Past by MxHawke (she/her)
Artist statement
My artwork I’ve created should inspire the community to remember what used to be, and encourage newcomers to learn more about where they’re visiting and what its purpose once was. The vibrancy is to catch the eyes of viewers and bring a positive, outgoing energy to the space.
Artist bio
Madison Gouldhawke, I’m 20 years old and living in West Kelowna, British Columbia. I’ve been creating art since I was seven and take inspiration from my father’s art. Over the past few years my art style has ranged from pointillism on paper, digital art and tattoo designs and painting. My goal is to create beautiful tattoo designs and and company designs to help people express themselves, past experiences and goals through they’re own skin or website. The “darkness” of my pieces help people understand the beauty in pain or dark spaces.
your borders bleed on soil by Niya Abdullahi
Artist statement
“your borders bleed on soil”, are lines atop the infamous treaty of Utrecht. In remembrance of the heinous crimes of border creation on sacred land by the British and French. All their lines are a lie (always have been, always will be), but the bloodshed that occurred and occurred as a result of their evil, live on forever. May this exist as proof of what really happened.
Artist bio
Niya Ahmed Abdullahi is a Multi-disciplinary Artist, Technologist and the founder of @Habasooda, a collective dedicated to sharing the richness of the Muslim experience through a variety of storytelling avenues. Themes of identity, liberation and resistance inform her work. Her films have screened at TIFF Next Wave, Black Film Festival Zurich, Nuit Blanche Saskatoon, Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival, Third Watch, Breakthroughs Film Festival, and NFFTY. She was a 2021 Hot Docs Accelerator Fellow and currently sits on the Advisory committee for the Nia Centre of the Arts BLACKOUT project and the City of Toronto’s ArtworksTO program.
Nous ne sommes pas limités à nos souvenirs (We are not limited to our memories) by PauTheRebel (she/her/they/them)
Artist statement
As inspiration to Quebec’s culture shaped by it’s yearly festivities (i.e. Winter Carnival), the project idea came into play as ode to the historical city. Using stars as a metaphor for memory and nostalgia, I wanted to capture the experience and response being in Quebec as someone who had previously traversed to Quebec for leisure and tourism.
Artist bio
PauTheRebel is a Brazilian-Canadian interdisciplinary artist & aspiring arts worker residing in Oakville, Ontario and the internet. Their practice consists of drawing, illustration, pattern-making, mixed-media, video and animations; including a love for creating narratives and characters that pair with her current themes including nostalgia, love, and daydreaming.
Sprouting from Resilient Roots by Tannystropheus (Tansy Virani) (she/her)
Artist statement
My proposal for the mural on the L’Îlot des Palais historical and archeological site would be a painting of three charred wooden tankards, with flowers sprouting out of the tops and flowers planted beside the mural. The tankards represent the brewery’s French background, the number of beers and the fiery charred aspects show the palace catastrophes and flowers to represent nature and friendship, beginning with the Huron-Wendat, Wabanaki people, the Innu and the Wolastoqey people and ending with the archeological fieldwork training location. My idea to engage the community will be mailbox and online surveys (promoted via social media) on what flowers best represent the community, their culture and the building itself. The survey results will then determine which flowers I paint in the mural and plant outside.
Artist bio
Tansy, a wacky artist passionate about creation, has always found herself in a somewhat solitary world. Through her artwork, she strives to bridge the gap between her isolated existence and the outside world, recognizing the power of art to make connections. Drawing inspiration from her childhood interests, Tansy mixes eerie, strange, and animal-centric elements in her pieces. Her art reflects the inner child within her, and she hopes to make that young version of herself proud. Guided by vivid dreams, memories, and the shadowy recesses of her mind, Tansy explores a range of mixed media materials, particularly watercolours, oils, ink, pencils, and digital tools. Usually in bed or hunched on the floor, she pours her heart into every creation. Looking ahead, Tansy aspires to use her art as a platform to delve into important themes and shed light on mental health issues. She aims to inspire others to embrace vulnerability and seek support during challenging times through her work.
Going the distance by Trenedee Watson (she/her)
Artist statement
This piece was inspired by the transitional history of 1050 Rue des Prairies. The original document that outlined a theme of bridging together the different functions this build had served for the city. It had evolved from a palace to a brewery to now an archaeological training center. I wanted this piece to inspire students using the building but still pay homage to the previous use of the building.
Artist bio
I’m Trenedee Watson, a 24-year-old self-taught painter, poet, and photographer from Scarborough, Ontario. My artistic journey is a revelation of self-discovery, navigating life’s complexities creatively. Growing up with immigrant parents in a corporate-focused environment, I never envisioned myself as an artist. Fear of not meeting admired creators’ standards held me back. At 19, I realized painting and poetry were vital outlets, my sanctuary amidst life’s chaos. Painting is my profound self-expression, challenging me to transcend boundaries. Each stroke symbolizes growth, a commitment to exceed limits. Art is my lifeline, embracing vulnerability, facing challenges, and translating emotions onto canvas. I’m not just an artist but a storyteller, sharing narratives of resilience and self-discovery. I aspire to uplift black women who, like me, doubted their capabilities. My art celebrates strength and creativity, inviting others to overcome self-imposed limitations. In every creation, I embody Trenedee Watson—an artist with a unique name, a distinctive voice, and an unwavering commitment to inspire through creativity and self-expression.
Unfurling Wilderness by Shannon Ye (she/her)
Artist statement
Unfurling Wilderness traces the site’s journey from lush wilderness to brewery to palace, unveiling humanity’s complex relationships with nature. Through pyrography, historic floor plans are etched onto repurposed wood panels, forming a triptych evoking windows into the past and future. Enriched with healing plants, it emphasizes our interconnectedness with nature, prompting reflection on our land impact and fostering appreciation for the sustaining power of ecosystems.
Artist bio
Shannon Ye is an early career Chinese multidisciplinary artist based in Toronto. Her practice revolves around explorations of state-changing materials about the themes of mortality and her cultural identity. This approach establishes a framework for exploring life’s ephemeral, spiritual, and mystical qualities. As an immigrant to Canada and an expatriate from China, Ye contemplates the conflicting feelings and conditions associated with leaving, longing, and returning to one’s identity. Drawing inspiration from Eastern philosophy and Buddhism, Ye meditates on circularity and metamorphosis as an ethos for survival and a portal for generating creative birth, death, and rebirth.
Boswell by Taylor Webb (she/her)
Artist statement
“Boswell” pays homage to the breweries that used to be housed on the site in 1668 and again in 1852. Named after the 1852 brewery, the mural links the past and present by depicting a set of stacked kegs. Placed at one of the site’s corners, “Boswell” provides passersby with the site’s historical context as they go about their day-to-day lives.
Artist bio
Taylor Webb has been creating art for the past three years, working in ink and film photography. Most recently, she has completed an artist residency with MedeArts, guest lectured at the University of Ottawa’s Mini Enrichment program, and taught a workshop with the Ottawa Art Gallery’s Youth Council. She has work published in multiple zines, such as Mind Over Matter, and was a featured artist on Cosy Land.
Reclaimed History by Tristan McTague (he/him)
Artist statement
Focusing on the Indigenous history of the area, the combination of traditional Huron-Wendat artifacts in the woodland style showcase the archaeological characteristics of the building while portraying Quebec’s past. Traditional agricultural advancements such as the three sisters (corn, beans, squash) and other indigenous flora allow vibrant colours and enhanced scenery. This mural aims to bring forth traditions and honour the history of those who stewarded the land before European contact.
Artist bio
An Anishnabwe painter and artist from Whitefish River First Nations, Tristan McTague grew up in Toronto. Currently studying a BFA in Drawing and Painting from OCADU, their practice mainly focuses on large-scale representational paintings with varying subject matter. They are often within transgressive themes; their work centers around the macabre and bizarre to bring forth conversations of people’s initial reactions. Working predominantly with acrylic or oil paint, their colour palette is confined to traditional historical usage as a way to connect with their work. Fond of utilizing darker tones of pigment to help convey their subject matter, colour plays an immense role in their work.
Tristan’s current practice involves the combination of materiality and culture to create oil paintings on animal hide. It started as a way to connect with his culture through being an urban Indigenous person; the practice relies heavily on the preparation to create the painting surface. Bringing forth traditions previously learned while visiting different reserves, even the presentation of the pieces is rooted in Anishinaabe teachings. Each piece is stretched to reminisce the tanning process of skinning the animal to collect the hide. Oil paint is utilized out of respect for the animal’s life; compared to acrylic paint, it’s more natural.
Funders
CreateSpace Public Art Forum has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada and Canada Council for the Arts.
Ce projet a été rendu possible en partie grâce au gouvernement du Canada et Canada Council for the Arts.
