Wreath III 23″x23″; found images and glue on St. Armand handmade paper; 2023
Rebecca Clouâtre North Bay, 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 North Bay, Ontario, 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, Ontario, in 2023. In 2025, she won the 1st place People’s Choice Award in the international art competition ART COMP, held in London, Ontario. 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.
Deer 8″x4″x4″; found images, paper, pen and glue on recycled mat board; 2023. Gesture II 23″x23″; found images, paper, inkjet print and glue on mi teintes paper; 2025. Carrier I 25″x21″; found images, paper, coloured pencil and glue on watercolour paper, custom mat; 2025.Gesture I 23″x23″; found images, paper, inkjet print and glue on mi teintes paper; 2025.