Rebecca Clouâtre

Rebecca Clouâtre
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

STATEMENT

As a mixed-media collage artist, I create hand-cut, two-dimensional works that explore the delicate interplay between nature and humanity. Through my art, I invite viewers to reflect upon and reimagine their connections to the environment and one another. My collages, which incorporate vintage
photographs, natural imagery, and salvaged paper-based materials, offer a whimsical meditation on contemporary themes such as feminism, womanhood, and ecological sustainability. Inspired by natural history illustrations, Surrealism, and illuminated manuscripts, I craft dreamlike scenes that balance intricate detail with intentional negative space. By employing unexpected juxtapositions, varying scales, and a rich variety of textures and colors, I bring a fresh approach to the medium of collage. My materials—sourced mainly from thrift shops, yard sales, and used bookstores—reflect my commitment to sustainability and breathing new life into forgotten imagery. I ensure my art aligns with my values by using acid-free adhesives and environmentally friendly practices.

My creative process is deeply research-driven and rooted in the tactile, familiar qualities of paper. Each composition serves as a call for contemplation and a reminder of the irreplaceable role of human-made art in a fast-paced, machine-driven world. By creating intimate, archival-quality works that echo humanity’s place within a larger natural system, I seek to inspire broader conversations about connection, care, and responsibility in the face of a changing climate. My art is at once a reflection, a plea, and an invitation to rediscover harmony within ourselves and the environment.

BIO

Rebecca Clouâtre is a paper collage artist based in Ottawa, Canada. In 2015 she received a Master’s degree in Art History with a concentration in Curatorial Studies. After a brief career in historical research and curatorial work, she is now a full-time artist and mother. In 2020, CBC Arts released a short documentary film about her artistic process. Her first major solo exhibition, “Maternal Collections”, was hosted by WKP Kennedy Gallery in North Bay, ON, in 2023. Her work has been exhibited in Canada, the U.S.A., and Australia. Using themes of human connection, motherhood, and feminism, she encourages viewers to contemplate nature and environmentalism. A proud member of the 44.4 Artist/Mother Collective, she scavenges and repurposes paper-based paraphernalia to highlight forgotten materials.

ARTIST CONTACT

[click to email]
rebeccaclouatre.com

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