My work originates as a response to a sense of deep dissatisfaction about environmental devastation. As a society, we seem to have accepted an underlying assumption of the unquestionable superiority of human beings towards nature, which allows us to justify the ongoing destruction of our wildlife, with all the fauna and flora it encompasses.

The images included here aim to illustrate the deep resemblance I see between humans and non-human animals; they also aim to plea for a sense of empathy towards these creatures that, as a culture, we tend to perceive so separate and far from us; my work stands as a reminder that if we destroy our natural environment, we are in turn extinguishing creatures that, like us, have evolved as a species through centuries, but that, unlike us, do not have the “intelligence” which has allowed humans to rule over other species; ultimately, my oeuvre is a plea to gain awareness of the beauty that exists in our natural surroundings and gain a deep respect for the creatures that inhabit our world.

~Miriam Gil

MIRIAM GIL CV

EDUCATION

2008   University of British Columbia, B.C., Masters in Art Education

1987    Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Professional Development Program, French Immersion Teaching certificate

1986   Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Bachelor of Arts, Fine and Performance Arts Minor, French Major

1983  University of Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Certificate in French and French Canadian Studies

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

2023  Mixed Media. The Similkameen Artist Residency. Keremeos, BC

2021  Painting. Leña Residency Centre. Galiano Island, BC

2005  Ceramic sculpture. Elsa Naveda Ceramic Studio, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico

2003  Painting and photography. Banff Centre for the Arts, Banff, Alberta

2000  Painting, printmaking and photography.  Banff Centre for the Arts, Banff, Alberta

1999  Painting. Banff Centre for the Arts, Banff, Alberta

EXHIBITIONS

2015  Arc: Animals in Art. Photo installation. Group show. Galiano Island Public Library. BC.

2011  River of Crows. Mural painting. Group project, coordinated by Richard Tetrault. McLean Dr. at Pender St. Vancouver, BC

2009  Fratelli Bakery. Mural painting. Group project, coordinated by Joey Mallet. Vancouver, BC

2008  The Zoo Project. Photographic Exhibit. UBC Faculty of Education, Vancouver, BC

2005  Origins. Ceramic installation. Permanent installation for the Public Garden of Sculptures of the city of Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico

2003  Caution Signs. Printmaking public installation. ARTROPOLIS.  Vancouver, B.C. Group show

Trajectory.  Photographic installation. The Other Gallery. Banff Centre for the Arts, Banff, Alberta. Group show

2001  Enlightenment. Lamp design exhibit. The Glass Onion Gallery. Vancouver, B.C.  Group Show

2000  Arts 2000. Surrey Art Gallery, Surrey, B.C. Group show

Latin-American Encounter. Mirage Art Gallery.  Vancouver, B.C. Group show

Human =Animal.  The Other Gallery.  Banff Centre for the Arts, Banff, Alberta.  Group show

1996  The Doll Project. Community Art Council Gallery. Vancouver, B.C. Group show

The Electronic Gallery.  British Columbia Art Teachers Association, Burnaby, B.C.  Group show

1994  Kult-ur. Mail Art Project. Federal Republic of Germany. Group show

The Fence Project.  The Grunt Gallery Vancouver, B.C. Group show

1993  Residence on Earth. Artemisia Art Gallery. Vancouver, B.C. Group show

The Window Art Gallery.  Downtown Improvement Association.  Vancouver, B.C.  Group show

The Frame Show.  Avenue for the Arts Society.  Vancouver, B.C.  Group show

1990  Dream Stages.  Station Street Art Centre.  Vancouver, B.C.  Solo show

GRANTS

2014   Tile Project: Student’s ceiling tile painting with the artist in residence, Joey Mallett, granted by the Parent Advisory Committee. Cascade Heights Elementary, Burnaby, BC,

2007   Outdoor Mural. Students’ clay tile project with the artist in residence, Louise Bradley, granted by the Burnaby School Board in co-operation with the Parent Advisory Committee.  Aubrey Elementary School, Burnaby, B.C. (presently completing)

2004   Outdoor Installation. Students’ pebble mosaic project with the artist in residence, Len Anderson, granted by Art Smart in collaboration with the Parent Advisory Council.  Marlborough Elementary School, Burnaby, B.C.

2003   Outdoor Installation. Students’ pebble mosaic project with the artist in residence, Len Anderson, granted by Art Smart in collaboration with the Burnaby School Board.  Marlborough Elementary School, Burnaby, B.C.

2002   Indoor Installation. Students’ banner project with the artist in residence, Richard Tétrault, granted by Art Smart in collaboration with the Burnaby School Board and the Parents Advisory Council.  Marlborough Elementary School, Burnaby, BC.

PUBLICATIONS

2009   Gil, M. There is More to a Jellyfish than Meets the Eye: Examining the Implications of the Open Minds Program in the Museum Experience. University of British Columbia, BC

2007   Art le Sabord magazine, No. 78. Trois Rivieres, Quebec