Formerly an archaeologist and park ranger, Camille Myles is an award-winning Canadian contemporary artist and educator with a deep connection to nature & history bringing hope and transformation to her community. Working in painting, sculpture, installation and public art, she creates conversations about identity and celebrates change and growth in her work.
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She received her BFA at Ottawa University and her MA in Heritage Conservation at Carleton University. Myles has exhibited extensively including Quest Art Gallery, Ottawa Art Gallery, BHA Gallery, Arts Mums United, Visionary Art Collective, PxP Contemporary, Gallery 115, among others. She has been awarded art residencies at Studio H International in Victoria BC in 2022 and at MOTHRA, Artscape in Toronto in 2023. In that same year, she was awarded a RBC Arts Incubator grant and an Ontario Arts Council grant for the creation of her solo exhibition at Quest Art Gallery in the summer 2023. Being drawn to the power of public art as a social community conversation, the artist has been creating murals and large-scale public art sculptures.
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She was awarded the Diamond Jubilee Medal and was a finalist of the Canadian RBC New Painting Competition. Originally from Gatineau, Quebec, she now lives along the shores of Georgian Bay, in Tiny Ontario with her husband and three young children.

Statement

HELPING PEOPLE APPRECIATE THE WORLD'S IMPERFECTIONS AND SEEING THE BEAUTY BEHIND CHANGE, THE BROKEN & THE DISCARDED.

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In my art practice, I’m inspired by the natural world around me and its precarity - constant change and threats to our environment and our identity shape how I see the world. Bringing together found objects, natural and synthetic elements, I’m interested in imagery rooted in feminist ideals of strength, the labours of motherhood  and the effects of gender roles.

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Whether working with reflective materials in large-scale public art projects in sculptural installations or capturing the essence and complexities of a place through painting and drawing, my work is layered with meaning, history and textures. As a conservation activist and visual artist, art that speaks to its environment and draws the viewer in as an active participant, is of particular interest to me. I use elements that combine an interest in the history of the place and its tie to the environment. I like to challenge the viewer’s perspective, incorporating components that appear to defy gravity, trick the eye, and offer elements that are ever-changing. Through reflections and distortions, my work grounds the spectator in the present, encouraging each viewer to see themselves as part of, not separate from, the story it tells. I encourage the viewer to “play” with art.
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I'm reminded that our time on this Earth is finite, that everything comes back to a natural state of being. We all need to listen a little more closely to the pleas of our world.
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I’M INFLUENCED BY OTHER FEMALE INSTALLATION AND PUBLIC ART ARTISTS SUCH AS GENEVIÈVE CADIEUX, JANET CARDIFF, KIKI SMITH, LOUISE BOURGEOIS, STEPHANIE KILGAST, HUGH HAYDEN AND MANDY CANO VILLALOBOS FOR THEIR TENACITY, STRENGTH IN MESSAGING AND BRAVERY.

(RE)EMERGENCE

(RE) Emergence will is presented at Quest Art Gallery in the Midland Cultural Centre, June 29-Aug 5 2023 (333 King Street, Midland, gallery hours Monday-Friday 10am-4pm).
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In this exhibition, I explore the profound metaphorical significance of butterflies as harbingers of change and the fleetingness of life. Delicate ceramic butterflies, alongside meticulously sculpted chains and cage-like sculptures, converge to evoke contemplation on transformative journeys.
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Drawing inspiration from my background as a park superintendent and archaeologist, I celebrate the interconnectedness of nature, history, and the transformative power of art. The use of ceramic as my medium allows me to capture the fragile and transformative essence of butterflies, while also honouring the hidden strength of motherhood through meticulously sculpted chains and cage-like structures that evoke both resilience and protection.
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To emphasize the intricate interplay of life's dualities, I employ high contrast and black-and-white aesthetics. Through the stark contrast between light and dark, I invite viewers to explore the complexities of the human experience, the delicate balance between opposing forces, and the necessary presence of darkness to appreciate the light. This visual language speaks to the inherent tensions we encounter, such as the interplay of dark and light, good and bad, and right and wrong.
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Moreover, this body of work aims to foster self-forgiveness and a realization that our personal growth necessitates embracing darkness to find light. By engaging with the art, viewers are encouraged to reflect upon their own transformative journeys, acknowledging imperfections, and finding solace in the understanding that both light and darkness are essential for personal and spiritual development.
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Through this visual narrative, I celebrate the power of femininity, the indomitable spirit of motherhood, and the inherent strength within each of us. By inviting contemplation of dualities, fostering self-compassion, and highlighting the interconnectedness of opposing forces, I aim to create a space where viewers can embark on a transformative journey of introspection and acceptance.
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Exhibition supported by the Ontario Arts Council and the RBC Arts Incubator program. Special thanks to Rodrigo Moreno, Virginia Eichhorn, Marilyn Green, Anne Armour, Hilary Slater, Holly Archer and Quest Art Gallery for their support and contribution to this exhibition. Deepest gratitude to my husband William Myles and my three children, who’ve made me who I am today.
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Supported by RBC Arts Incubator Program, Ontario Arts Council & le Centre de femmes francophones du comté de Simcoe Colibri.

INSTAGRAM: @CAMILLEMYLESART

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