‘Make. Believe.’ Artist Statement

‘Make. Believe,’ is an immersive exhibition that transports you to a time when you had the freedom, and the inspiration, to play and be joyful. My highly realistic paintings of toys and childhood objects highlight both the intricate beauty of the ordinary as well as the significance they hold as symbols of a shared childhood experience.

Make believe was the name we gave to the creative games we played as children; the worlds we invented when we let our imagination run wild, and the situations we imagined ourselves in without the burden of responsibility, or the restrictions of reality that so dominate the adult experience. The paintings and installations in this exhibit encourage you to lose yourself in the simple things that brought you joy as a child, from collecting small plastic toys or snails in a jar, to enjoying a frozen popsicle on a hot day. They are meant to remind you of a time when you were the purest and simplest version of yourself. If we had the permission and freedom to be curious, messy, emotional and imperfect as kids, why not now? When we need these qualities the most. As a mother of two, and fellow embracer of my inner child, I challenge us to rediscover the magic of our youth so that we can find a greater sense of joy, peace and self acceptance.

The exhibition is being held at THIS Gallery in Vancouver BC from May 24th - June 1st, 2024