Bio
Elise Findlay is a visual artist based in Banff, Alberta. Having grown up in the mountains she has developed a deep love of her home landscape which is a central theme and inspiration in her art.
Through her landscapes Elise explores the complexities of a place and how humans interact, navigate, and experience the natural world. It is this interaction, along with memory, that Elise uses to build and layer her landscapes employing a variety of media. Elise is currently in her third year of study at AuArts in Calgary, majoring in Drawing with a minor in Object Design. Along with her studies Elise sits on the Public Art Committee for the town of Banff. She is a lifelong learner, as well as her certificate as a Red Seal Cabinetmaker, her work as a draftsman and CNC programmer/operator, she has an undergrad degree from Dalhousie University in Sociology and Comparative Religion. After Elise has finished her undergrad at AuArts she plans to continue onto a masters as well as establish a studio in Banff to continue, through her artwork, to explore this dramatic and inspiring Canadian landscape and the human impact and interactions with it.
My practice explores place and how our understanding of self can be expressed in the attachment we have to particular landscapes. I rely on memory, emotion, and knowledge to depict places that are both specific in their representation of an actual location, and general, in that, the landscapes are built from imagined and remembered routes of travel. Aware of Canada’s problematic history in relation to imagery of the land, I try in my work to depict a connection to place rather than an idealized version of a space. The idea of making a place real through experience is essential to my work. It is also essential on a personal level because it is through place that I ground myself as part of a community. In our current stasis and social separation, I find in place, a connection, and a solace in belonging that is both fixed in its solidity and flexible in the cycles of change.
Artist
Statement
Curriculum
Vitae
Bachelor of Fine Arts, School of Visual Arts (Drawing
Major, 3D Object Design Minor), Alberta University
of the Arts - Current
Journeyman Cabinetmaker Certificate, Red Seal,
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Social Anthropology
and Comparative Religion, Dalhousie University
Barbara and John Poole Family Scholarship
AuArts Scholarship for a Self-Directed Research Project
Barbara and John Poole Family Scholarship
Gregory Arnold Memorial Scholarship
Jason Lang Scholarship
AuArts Scholarship for a Research Project
Louise McKinney Post Secondary Scholarship
AUArts Board of Governors’ First Year Scholarship
Eaton Entrance Scholarship, AuArts
AWMAC Southern Alberta Cabinetmaking Scholarship
AWMAC Southern Alberta Cabinetmaking Scholarship
AWMAC Southern Alberta Apprenticeship Contest,
Third Place
AWMAC Southern Alberta Cabinetmaking Scholarship
Apprenticeship of Industry and Training Board Scholarships
in the Cabinetmaker trade.
Whyte Museum, Solo Exhibition - Under the Mountain's
Shadow
Artist in Residence Carya/Village Commons, organized
through the Calgary Allied Arts Foundation.
Artist in Residence - Anastomosis Group Residency, Sparrow
Artsspace
YWCA Banff Express Consent workshop facilitator &
community art piece, Working Together - Hosted at
Canmore artsPlace
Live art demo for YWCA Banff Women of Distinction
awards event and community piece Inspiration
AuArts President's Show
cSpace Group Exhibition - In Response to [ ]
Marion Nicol Gallery LRT Space
Solo Exhibition - Under the Mountain's Shaow
Hear/d Residency & Under Maintenance Exhibition
Marion Nicoll Gallery
EAWP Residency & "Unbouned" Publication (CMagazine)
AuArts President’s Collection
Participation + Live Demo - Ojibway Club Art Show
AuArts President’s Show
YYC Airport Showcase
AuArts President’s Show
AuArts Student’s Association First Year Show
The Sounds of Algonquin immersive album release
(cover art display/ongoing project, second show spring 2022)
Uncanny Dwellings – AuArts Drawing + Painting Exhibition
Town of Banff Public Art Committee
Marion Nicoll Gallery, Jury Member
Education
2020
2015
2010
Awards
2022
2021
2021
2021
2020
2020
2019
2019
2018
2015
2014
2014
2013
2013
Exhibitions + Residencies
2022
2022
2022
2022
2022
2022
2021
2021
2021
2021
2020
2020
2020
2020
2019
2019
2019
Juries + Committees
2021
2019-Present
2019
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Halifax, NS
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Canmore, AB
Canmore, AB
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Pointe au Baril, ON
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Banff, AB
Calgary, AB
Calgary, AB
Algonquin Part, ON
Calgary, AB
Banff, AB
Calgary, AB