CV

Susan P. Gibson B.F.A. 

Exhibitions - All accessible locations unless otherwise noted

WAY FINDING Fleet Gallery Street Art Ally Party (group) painting 8 performance. 2015
Making Our Mark Martha Street Studio (group). 2014
Art 8. Body Arts and Disability Network (formerly SPARK). photograph St. Boniface Library and Piano Noble
(Winnipeg Concert Hall). 2012
ignite! Martha Street Studio, four person exhibition, photographs and installation. 2011
MAWA WAM Wall MAWA and Me 25 Years. 2010
....Something snappy! Platform membership show at Gallery 103C. 2009
SPARK lnitiative Art activism piece at MAWA (Mentoring Artists for Women's Art) and ILRC
(Independent Living Resource Centre). 2008
Platform Gallery Member's show, digital image/crayon/ink drawing. 2007
Vault Gallery Cornucopla A Harvest of Art group exhibition, raku. 2006
Creations video launch with Jake Chenier, Mediation Services (community location focused on Social Justice). 2006
Portage Art Centre PCI Reunion Group Show raku bowls. 2005
World Summit Disabled People's Intematlonal Exhibition New Beginning Series clay and drawings. 2004
Label for Artists Gallery Famous Prairie Artisans. 2002
Angel’s Garden Group Show and Sale (not accessible) Raku and Stoneware, clay, paper, text and mixed media.
1989-90-2000-2001, 2002
Clifton Studio & Gallery group shows (not accessible).
The Art of Magic with Lori Broadfoot. Fort Garry Woman’s Resource Centre. 1989
Plug In, MAWA juried mentorshlp group show (not accessible). 1986
Medea Gallery Member Shows. 1982/85
Medea Gallery Fantastic Voyage: solo paintings and prints. 1985
Portage Art Centre Four Dimensions of Self drawings/paintings. 1984

Collection Government of Manitoba. 2010

Commissions Unique gifts created to event themes
REES Reaching Equality Employment Services
University of Manitoba (2004) Summer Institute on Disability and Technology
Manitoba Employer Accessibility Awards
Manitoba Hydro /Winnipeg Hydro “Facing Change Together" Conference

BIOGRAPHY

Born in Calgary, Alberta and raised and educated in Portage la Prairie Manitoba. Visual communication is my first language and remains the easiest. Living with my parents and three siblings, I experienced both apartment and rural living marked by fire and flood. Recognized early for my drawing ability defined and defines my identity; acting as an emotional conduit while delivering visual expressions. 

Studying first as an adult learner at the Alberta College of Art and later graduating with a B.F.A. from the University of Manitoba, I've learned to integrate theory and skill. Paid work training life skills, conflict resolution, and mediating people from diverse backgrounds provided invitations to cultural celebrations and ceremonies. Inclusive experiences enable integration of spirit/philosophy into my ever evolving art practice. 

As a Canadian feminist agent of change my thoughts are on issues of identity culture, inclusion, and reconciliation. Living alone on Treaty One land above the trees in my 'fifth floor studiome*' in Winnipeg, Manitoba, I continue to tickle my artistic fancy and practice the principle of life long learning.

*studiome is my artist's studio where I also eat and sleep

ARTIST STATEMENT

My hometown had a residential school as well as a number of reserve communities close by whose children were bussed into town and became classmates and sometimes friends. Living in Winnipeg, Manitoba during the Truth and Reconciliation processes and the McLean's article naming my city 'Canada's most racist' highlights the impact of personal history. Canadians (myself included), are being asked to question our perceptions and value of "other" while actively engaging in change. 

Lack of inclusiveness in 'art world' institutions leads to a cultural loss for all. A long time value of mine is for diversity. Of specific interest is the cultural wisdom of those who function outside the 'norm', most especially those defined or defining themselves as disabled. My visual and community art practices gives voice to the experience and value of those artists and audience who exist outside of the mainstream art lexicon.

Convinced that every living and created thing is in constant change. I appreciate that change involves loss and grief. Juxtaposing inorganic material and decaying foliage is unpredictable and cluttered, not unlike the confusing times and feelings of change. Focusing on surface reflections and dark shadows is a visual expression of the complexity of inclusion. My mind contemplates the essential, difficult, and complex conversations required to change art and government systems to become more inclusive.

As an artist, I look to create a purposeful chaos. Capturing change and the passage of time is a largely intuitive process where symbols and meaning are often revealed afterwards when reading the image. Engaging in process heavy set up and medium experimentation resulting in complex layered images encourages each viewer to maintain a longer relationship than is typical in our screen-focused culture.