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