The Borealis series explores the Canadian imaginary and its intersection with personal and family history, both of which are stories of confrontation with Nature and the North, immigration and colonization, self and place.

Hand-woven textiles are combined with pigment, fleece, concrete and acrylic to create two-dimensional works evocative of landscapes. The forms are based on topographical shapes and textures drawn from my research in Georgian Bay and Awenda. The fibres are naturally dyed with plants that are native, invasive or culturally significant. The fabric is handwoven overshot, a type of cloth which was one of the historical strategies for surviving the Canadian cold.

The Borealis series is a craft-based response to the mythos of the North and its representation in Canadian art, deconstructing ‘Great Wild North’ landscapes in favour of a more personal and materials-based story.