AGOG presents Understory by Kyra Sinéad

Artist Statement

My lifestyle and creative practice are deeply intertwined, and my work has centred a lot around the land I’ve had the privilege of inhabiting over the last few years. I’ve become particularly passionate about art and ecology: exploring pollution, human-wildlife and human-environment conflict, ecological interventions, and seasonal changes in local environments. I am interested in exploring the way we as individuals and as societies experience connection and trauma, and how that relates to the broader influence of humanity on the environment.

This body of work came about in the aftermath of a series of betrayals by someone I trusted. I was faced with a complex grief and pain, and I moved to the Rockies in search of a change. Living in such an extreme and sensitive environment has taught me about grief, connection, safety, and trust: both in myself and in others. Since moving here, I’ve built safe connections and learned valuable lessons from the people, plants, and creatures that call the area home. This collection of works is an exploration of the natural spaces I’ve become familiar with, and the traumas they’ve helped me to process and heal, as well as a thank you to the land and the people I’ve met in my journeys here.

About the Artist

Kyra Sinéad is a multidisciplinary artist currently residing in Field, BC, whose primary mediums include soft sculpture, analogue photography, illustration, ceramics, and painting. Kyra grew up in the comfort of mud puddles and tree forts, with a fascination for the tinies creatures and an innate connection with the outdoors. She draws inspiration from nature and ecology, exploring themes of gender, identity, intimacy, and ecological decline. Kyra graduated from MacEwan University in 2018 with a diploma in Fine Arts and received her BFA from the University of Alberta in 2021. Since graduating, she has found a home in the Canadian Rockies, exploring new ways of living and making.