ARTIST BIO
Anateresa Mendes-Collins, born in 1973 in Ottawa, Canada, is an accomplished collage artist whose work is deeply rooted in the fusion of nature photography and interior space imagery. Currently based in Ottawa, Canada, Anateresa's artistic journey revolves around the meticulous process of finely cutting and rearranging these diverse visual elements on Bristol board. Subsequently, her creations are scanned, digitized, and transformed into giclee limited prints.
With a profound belief in the presence of beauty both in the natural world and in the creative expressions of humanity within our dwellings and workplaces, Anateresa's art captures the essence of this duality. She delves into the intriguing question of what transpires within these man-made spaces once we depart for new horizons. Through her artwork, she articulates the inexorable force of nature, ceaselessly pushing through the man-made constructs. By recycling her collage work, Anateresa endeavors to bridge the gap between the allure of nature and the industrial aspects of our existence, advocating for responsible stewardship of the Earth. Her work serves as a poignant reminder of the significance of what we discard in our daily lives.
Anateresa's "Fantasy/Abyss" series is a response to the poignant words of Paulo Coelho in his novel "Eleven Minutes," where he states, "In every moment in our lives we have one foot in a fairytale and the other in the abyss." Over the years, these words have evolved in their importance and significance to Anateresa, and her body of work is a testament to this evolution. Through this series, she explores the delicate balance between the fantastical and the profound, inviting viewers to contemplate the ever-changing dynamics of life and existence through her captivating artistic lens.