Photo by Lana Chebib
Nicole Young is an artist based on the traditional, unceded and occupied territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations (Vancouver, BC.) Working in the confluence of visual arts, environmentalism and storytelling, Nicole’s works are as much science experiments as they are conversations on ways to approach climate justice. She creates her own pigments and dyes out of natural and often wild foraged materials including plant matter and minerals as a way to deepen her connection with the land, and to create a dialogue about waste-free practices. Moving seamlessly between large scale textile installations, works on canvas, garments and graceful drawings, Nicole’s works aesthetically resemble collage while maintaining their painterly qualities.
Born in Ontario, Nicole attended the University of British Columbia Okanagan where she received a BFA in Visual Arts and Art History, and studied studio arts and art history at the University of California Los Angeles. Her work has been exhibited in Canada and abroad since 2010, and her paintings are in private collections throughout the globe.
Artist statement
My work is an exploration of materiality through the lens of nature and environmentalism. I use natural pigments and repurposed textiles to convey the connections formed between various plants, the patterns that occur in the wild, and memories that call to a sense of nostalgia. I approach my work with the mentality that nothing will be wasted during the creation process, and this idea affects the way I create everything from paper studies to large scale installations. Any leftover textiles, papers and canvas are always used in future paintings, and the gathering of materials and production of pigments is of equal importance to the creation of the final work itself. In making this work I am demonstrating the value of working with the land, and creating art within a circular economy.
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
2015
BFA, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, Canada
Major in Visual Arts, Minor in Art History and Visual Culture
2014
UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States
Fine Arts and Art History
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024
Tactile Memories, North Van Arts, North Vancouver, BC (upcoming)
2023
Life = Absurd, This Gallery, Vancouver, BC
100 Amigos, Curated by Pablo Zamudio, Drew Young and Douglas Coupland, Vancouver, BC
Co-Create, Stay Home Gallery, Paris, Tennessee
Intergalactic Open, ShockBoxx Gallery, Hermosa Beach, California
2022
Not! An Art Fair, ShockBoxx Gallery, Hermosa Beach, California
Spotlight, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
Stories I Tell Myself, Visionary Art Collective, Online Exhibition
2021
Ten Squared, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
Hot Damn, Shockboxx Gallery, Hermosa Beach, California
2020
Minimalism, Shockboxx Gallery, Hermosa Beach, California
Congruence, I Like Your Work Juried Exhibition, Online Exhibition
Irregularly Scheduled, Shockboxx Gallery, Hermosa Beach, California
2019
CLIP: An International Exhibition of Works on Paper, Charles Adams Studio Project, Lubock, Texas
New School Abstract, Shockboxx Gallery, Hermosa Beach, California
2018
A Restless Earth, Lake Country Art Gallery, Lake Country, BC
2016
Draped/Double Take, Lake Country Art Gallery, Lake Country, BC
Satin Sea, Rotary Center for the Arts, Kelowna, BC
2015
Shelf Life, FCCS Gallery, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, BC
2014
Inside Out, Hillel at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
2013
Under Eight, SOPA Fine Arts, Kelowna, BC
SELECTED SOLO and Two Person EXHIBITIONS
2024
I Was There, I Forget The Rest, THIS Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2022
Grow, Spill, Wrap, Reveal, Kent Harrison Art Gallery, Harrison, BC
Shifting Forms, Deer Lake Art Gallery, Burnaby, BC
2021
Plant Echoes and Conjured Sounds, Artwrk.ca, Online Exhibition
2020
Backstitch, Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art, Kelowna, BC
Entre Chien Et Loup, Online Exhibition
2019
What’s Still Here, What Came Before Us, Lake Country Art Gallery, Lake Country, BC
Marginalia, Courtney Ungaro Space and Design, Kelowna, BC
2017
Rivers and Roads to Find You, Vernon Public Art Gallery, Vernon BC
2014
Shell, Lululemon, Kelowna, BC
2013
Jailbird, The Habitat, Kelowna, BC
Corporate collections
Aritzia LP - Vancouver, BC
Earl’s Restaurants Ltd. - Vancouver, Burnaby and Kelowna, BC
The Boxset Collective. - Vancouver, BC
represented
Shockboxx Project - Hermosa Beach, California
Residencies
2022
Kent Harrison Arts Council, Harrison, BC
2020
The Lemon Tree House Residency, Camporsevoli, Italy (Postponed due to COVID-19)
CURATORIAL WORK
2022
The Curated Collection, November 2021 - Present, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
Spotlight, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2021
Plant Parallels, Deer Lake Art Gallery, Burnaby, BC
Ten Squared, Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2016-2017
Artscape Curator, Arts Council of the Central Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, Canada