Artist Statement & Bio

Through encaustic paintings, interactive sculptures, audio/video installations and workshops, I explore the contemporary relevance of myths and legends. Core to my practice is connecting art with communities — inspiring people of diverse cultures, ages and walks of life to engage with art, share stories, and consider how it relates to their lives. 

Canadian-born, I recently discovered that I come from over ten generations of human rights activists, philosophers, rabbis, artists and refugees— engaging with questions about identity, spirituality and social change. This too fuels my work. Expelled from Spain in 1492 my ancestors forged new lives in Greece, Italy, Ukraine, Czech Republic, France, England and Ireland, united by “Tikkun Olam”: the idea of our shared responsibility to repair the world. I situate myself as an artist who shares the complexities of dual identity (assimilating from an ancient culture into a series of dominant cultures through inter-generational immigration) as well as one who experiences “double colonization” (the simultaneous oppression of both colonialism and patriarchy).

Encaustic painting, practiced by Greek artists since 400 B.C, evolves through successive layers of molten beeswax, each fused to the previous one with a torch or iron. An active partner in my process, beeswax asserts itself texturally and sculpturally as I paint, layer, fuse, scrape, and re-work. This medium also embodies the multiple layers of meaning in my work. Drawing inspiration from personal experiences, psychology and mythology, particularly stories of archetypal females, I honour women’s strength and wisdom in the face of adversity. 

My work celebrates visionary contemporary women of all ages, orientations and walks of life and parallels their stories with those of legendary heroines. This is reflected by the title and treatment of each work. Fusing the past with the present to illuminate urgent contemporary social issues, I invite viewers to look at women in a new light. 

I paint faces, recognizable yet abstracted, closeup so the viewer can gaze into their eyes without distractions and feel what remarkable people they are. In this way, I challenge traditional representations of women in art which normalize objectification and violence against women. Through dialogue, reflection and the power of art, I aim to inspire, provoke change, dismantle harmful narratives, and contribute to a more equitable society. 

The installation Eyeing Medusa is named for the archetypal wronged-woman of Greek mythology. Torn from her spiritual path, raped, blamed, banished and ultimately beheaded, Medusa’s story echoes that of countless women throughout history. While her monstrous rage and debilitating grief petrifies all who look upon her, viewing Medusa is possible via a mirror. Eyeing this ancient wild/wise woman requires facing our own fears, culpability and difficult questions— so that we may recognize and stop perpetuating unhealthy beliefs and behaviours. Ultimately I believe that Eyeing Medusa can shift perspectives and change historically toxic narratives by focusing on respect, empowerment and self-actualization. 

I have exhibited and performed in art galleries, museums, concert halls and festivals throughout Asia, North America and Europe including: National Gallery of Canada; Yilan Performing Arts Center, Taiwan; Singapore International Arts Festival; Canadian Embassy in Tokyo; Edmonton Art Gallery; World Trade Centres, Taipei and Barcelona; Royal Ontario Museum; Art Gallery of Ontario; Art Gallery of Algoma; Thunder Bay Art Gallery; Art Gallery of Peterborough; MacLaren Art Centre; Robert McLaughlin Gallery; Justina M Barnicke Gallery; Miles Nadal Gallery; Holy Blossom Temple; Nuit Blanche Toronto and Orillia Museum of Art & History. I have directed workshops for refugees, newcomers, Indigenous people, students and seniors across North America and Asia; including Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts; and TASIS school in Dorado, Puerto Rico. With artworks in collections across North America and Asia, including Orillia Museum of Art & History, I have won awards, private and public art commissions, grants (Canada Council, OAC, TAC, Trillium); and Artist Residency fellowships (Government of Japan, Japan Foundation).