Marianne Shaker

I was born In Egypt of Lebanese parents, and, have been living in Montreal, Canada for many years. I studied Fine Arts at Concordia University in Montreal, and, obtained a teaching certificate from McGill University. I have been teaching the visual arts at the high School level.

It has been a great experience for me to pass on my passion for art to the youth, our future, whom are naturally creative, and, have a strong desire to express themselves. Art provides an outlet in which they are able to voice their opinions, as well as, styles. Arriving to Canada at a young age, as well as travelling lead me towards immense creative inspirations.

Art is the equivalence of oxygen for me, and, as I continue my own art production I realized two solo exhibitions in 2010, and, 2013/14, as well as, exhibited in numerous group exhibitions in Montreal, and, St. Nicolet (Quebec). Several of my art pieces are in five private collections. I’m a member of ‘Le regroupement des artistes du Levant; Arts Council Of Montreal; Diversité Artistique de Montréal; and, National Arts Education Association (US). I have been the recipient of several nominations for artwork, and, a juried award.

2014 Nomination ‘Playful Vision’, 2014, Arts Council of Montreal, Lauréat du prix interculturel Abe--‐Limonchik.

2013 Nomination for Les Lauréates Espace Femmes Arabes Du Québec, for Arts and Culture, for excellence in accomplishments for Quebec society.

2012 Nomination ‘Window into Life’, 2011, Arts Council of Montreal, Lauréat du prix interculturel Abe--‐Limonchik.

2009 Nomination ‘Cry of Colour’, 2009, Arts Council of Montreal, Lauréat du prix interculturel Abe--‐Limonchik.

2007 Nomination ‘Tourbillon’ & ‘Banquet Dancers’, for acquisition by the Minister of Culture and Communications of Quebec.

2006 Bronze medal award in pastel category, ‘Maelström’, Musée des Maîtres et Artisans du Québec.

I received a nomination for the award in achievement in Arts And Culture For Les Lauréates Espace Femmes Arabes Du Québec (short Speech on culture & Art education before 250 people).

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

I create each art piece with its own unique aesthetic personal expression, intertwining simultaneously the real with symbolic imagery. For several years my work has been inspired by travels, and, by the reflections on universal questions of identity, nostalgia, and, the crossings of cultures that I try to create visible. The subjects portrayed reflect the search for connectedness, and, the perception on the passage of time, origins, exile and places. I seek to communicate, and, to draw the viewer into the image that expresses my vision of unforgettable moments of human struggles with the disruption of displacement that is often accompanied by uncertainties, and, doubts, as well as, hopes. My work represents reflections on the conflicting, and, turbulent fusion of the new host world and the place of origin, stability versus instability. Life is in a perpetual struggle of the renewal of ideas, encounters and exchanges. Some of my inspirations derive from the similarities between Saint--‐Lawrence / Nile Rivers, which are the source of life. Also, I try to capture the spirit of the vibrant and, colorful culture of Mexico that are reflected in some of my work. The Images I try to depict are timeless.

The approach in my work frequently treads between the abstract and the representational. I work with mixed media using color palettes of pastels, acrylic paint, and ink on paper, juxtaposed or superimposed with photographs (personal images), or, sometimes uniquely with pastels. I try to create my images to convey the mood of the subject using light, mainly warm colors, texture, and, through the movement of line and form. Different planes of forms and colors dissolve into an arrangement of superimpositions, an amalgam of photos and pastel to create, and, to transform a complete piece of work is a technique that I have been developing over the years.