Jeanette Sirois

Home: Salt Spring Island, BC
Title: Bad Hair Day #3
Media: Colour pencil on paper
Dimensions: 162.5 x 120 cm
Website: jeannettesirois.com

Artist Statement

“Bad Hair Day 3”
In this work, “Bad Hair Day #3”, part of a series examining women’s experiences, I use scale and material to force me to critically examine and understand the life experiences of my models. Struggles with mental illness, identity and ageism create moments of instability and the ability to deal with these unstable moments becomes the conversation. The simple act of brushing ones hair even becomes a chore and is often riddled with questions of how our place in society requires us to “pick ourselves up and move on” when often rejecting societal standards and norms becomes a safer more comfortable place to be. The subject allows me, as an artist to become intimate with the details of those struggles. Sitting with an artwork and the subjects words for over 900 hours is the consequence of the scale and material used, but it is also an opportunity to recognize and discuss those struggles, and honor them through the work created.

Biography

I am a full time practicing visual artist working with colour pencil and graphite. I use large-scale portraits to explore issues surrounding acceptance and rejection based on societal norms, values, cultural beliefs and ritualistic practices. Having created work for public installations, gallery exhibitions and private and public collections I use portrait drawing as a means to address issues of acceptance/rejection based on mental heath, the LGTBQ+ community and identity.

I hold a Diploma in Design, a BFA with distinctions from Concordia University in Montreal, Art Teacher Certification and a M.Ed. from UBC.

CV

2002 M.Ed, Visual Arts Education, University of British Columbia.
1995 Graduate Diploma Art Education, Concordia University, Montreal.
1994 BFA, with Distinctions, Concordia University, Montreal

PUBLIC ART
2014-2015 Going Places. Awarded by the City of Seattle, Washington.
2014 It’s Written on your Face. Commissioned by the City of Vancouver

EXHIBITIONS, ARTICLES AND AWARDS
2019 Group Show, Salt Spring Art Gallery, anchor work for show
2019 Focus Magazine: Front Cover and Feature article
2018 Professional Artist Magazine: Feature artist
2018 Representation: West End Gallery, ongoing
2017 Solo show, Salt Spring Gallery. “Portrait of”
2017 Group Show invited artist. “Body of Work”, Salt Spring Art Gallery
2016 Group show, Salt Spring Art Gallery.
2015 Surrey Art Gallery Acquisition Permanent Collection. Parkinson the Destroyer
2015 Surrey Art Gallery Acquisition, Permanent Collection. Equality of Same: Lorraine
2015 The Kingston Prize Group Curated Show., national portrait competition.
2015 Solo Curated Show. Place Des Arts Gallery. Coquitlam, BC
2015 Group Show. Pride in Art Society, Queer Arts Festival, Vancouver
2015 Solo Show. The Cultch, Vancouver
2015 Group Curated Show. Surrey Art Gallery, View from the Southbank II. Invited artist.
2014 City of Surrey Acquisitions. Selected artist for permanent collection, for City Hall art works.
2014 Education and Postcard booklet. Images for year of reconciliation, City of Vancouver.
2014 Group Show. Surrey Art Gallery, Arts 2014, First Place Award in 2D works
2014 Group Show. International Print and Drawing Exhibition. California
2014 Group show. The Miracle of the Portrait. Portrait Society of Canada, Finalist
2014 Solo Curated Show. Leigh Square, Coquitlam. Beyond Real, an exhibition of 21 drawings.
2014 Group Show. About Face exhibition. North Vancouver Community Arts Council.
2014 Group Show and Invited artist to display at National Conference, Florida. Colour Pencil Society of America. Award: District Chapters Award for Exceptional Merit.
2013 Group Show. The Miracle of the Portrait. Portrait Society of Canada, Finalist
2013 Group Show, Juried. Federation of Canadian Artists, International Group Show.
2013 Group Show. Surrey Art Gallery, Arts 2013, First Place Award in 2D works
2005 Group Show. Surrey Art Gallery, Arts 2005, finalist
2004 Group Show. Surrey Art Gallery, Arts 2004, finalist