Collection: Shards of Identity

Featuring three talented artists: Delia Rose Landers Alexandra Riesbri and Caroline Létourneau and . As part of the gallery's artist residencies, the featured artists have been creating on site since July 1, 2023, and the majority of their work has been produced during this period.  The vernissage takes place on Thursday November 23 at 5.30pm.

The works of these three women artists highlight different perspectives on identity, ranging from self-portraiture (Delia Landers) to cultural approaches (Alexandra Riesbri) to the exploration of ecofeminist identities (Caroline Létourneau).

Delia Landers often uses memory, reflections, and portraiture alongside theoretical writing to fully explore personal philosophy and expressions of identity in her work. She mostly works from photographic references and use a limited palate and traditional oil painting techniques to create impressionist style paintings on both canvas and wood. Visually her work plays often with color, light, shadow, and transparency and reveals the artists way of seeing the world. Delia views her artistic practice as holistic and seesw the creation of a healthy life, both mentally and physically, care for her community, and connection with others as artistic endeavors. Delia is inspired by the world around her, by other artists both within and outside of heer community, by literature and philosophy, and by a deep exploration of self.

Riesbri's art draws deeply from her personal experiences and mixed heritage, blending her Gurani roots with her Paraguayan, Brazilian and now Montreal residences, shaping a unique artistic perspective that explores the human condition. Her series "Tramado abierto, cerrado, doble, combinado" symbolizes the resilience of artistic expression over time through the fusion of ancient filigrana, Paraguayan culture and contemporary art. Beyond the canvas, she draws inspiration from medicinal indigenous weeds, representing nature's tenacity and traditional Guarani remedies. Her dynamic art celebrates the enduring beauty of cultural heritage and the limitless potential of creativity, transcending eras, cultures, and techniques.

Exploring ecofeminist identities by Caroline Létourneau: Rooted in notions of interdependence, care and empathy, Caroline Létourneau's work addresses the issues of climate change, while presenting a positive, alter-globalist vision of our planet. She creates poetic worlds in which she explores diverse ecofeminist identities, including activists, gardeners, witches and tapestry weavers on ecological restoration. To illustrate our deep interconnection with nature, she hybridizes certain female figures with the living, incorporating plant and animal elements. Caroline's works seek to change our view of nature from one of domination and exploitation to one of reciprocity and compassion.