Opening Reception | Susan Shantz: Confluence

Susan Shantz’s art explores the connections between humans and nature, examining how we view and construct “nature.” Her work reflects our cultural distance from the natural world, despite our reliance on it for well-being.

In Confluence, Shantz investigates Prairie water sources, inspired by scientific fieldwork tracing water’s path from the Rockies through the Saskatchewan river system to the delta. Using textiles, video, and found objects, she contemplates our shared connection to water and the environmental impact of water management.

Often modifying found objects through sewing and embroidery, Shantz’s pieces evoke both order and disruption. Works like Water Basin I play with grid structures and shadows to reference colonial mapping practices, while her tarps and fabrics explore the fragility of water sources. Inspired by Post-Minimalist artists, Shantz’s layered installations invite viewers to reflect on our intertwined relationship with water and the environmental consequences we face.

Join us for coffee, tea and goodies…