OLIVIA MYRAND
VISUAL ARTIST
BIO
WHO IS OLI
ArtisT STATEMENT
I aim to preserve moments I fear I may never experience again, whether they are feelings, times, or places. Through my paintings, I capture the shifting landscapes of memory, alluding to the loss of the natural world and the loved ones who shape my experiences. I am deeply influenced by Canadian folk art, drawn to its bright colors and narrative qualities. Using oil paint on upcycled materials, I reference the vernacular of folk art, creating layers of transparency that embody the nuanced, fleeting nature of what I see. The landscapes I paint are not merely representations of the physical world, but reflections on time, memory, and the delicate interplay between nature and human experience. By working with materials that have been discarded, I weave a narrative of regeneration, highlighting the beauty and resilience of nature even as it coexists with human influence. I aim to provoke nostalgia and evoke a sense of longing for what we have lost, or may soon lose.
BIO
Olivia Myrand, born in 1998 in Montreal, QC, is from the unceded Indigenous lands of the Kanien'kehá:ka Nation, the recognized custodians of these lands and waters. She is an emerging Canadian artist whose work delves into the complex relationship between human interaction and the natural world. Primarily working in oil paint on recycled materials, Myrand's practice occasionally integrates textile work and sound, creating a rich, immersive experience. Her art reflects her passion for preserving nature and captures the fleeting moments of interaction between humans and the environment. Myrand’s style is deeply influenced by Canadian folk art, while she is also drawn to the narrative of the idyllic pastoral landscape. Her pieces evoke a sense of nostalgia and reflection, as she examines the role of human intervention in nature’s spaces. Water plays a central role in her work, drawing on her personal experiences as a sailing coach and bosun. Spending significant time on bodies of water has deeply shaped her practice, providing her with a unique perspective on the fluidity and fragility of nature. These experiences serve as both inspiration and a means of documenting her connection to the natural world. Recently graduated with a BFA in Studio Arts from Concordia University in Montreal, Myrand has participated in various group exhibitions. Her primary focus remains on expanding her body of work and continuing to explore new ways of incorporating diverse mediums into her artistic practice. Drawing from her own memories and experiences with nature, Myrand’s paintings serve as a preservation of both the present moment and the environment itself. Each piece is an ongoing dialogue between the artist’s observations and her deep-rooted concern for the natural world.
My style
"Through my paintings, I capture the shifting landscapes of my memory, alluding to the loss of the natural world and the loved ones who shape my experiences."
Bold colors and honest observations
I find a lot of inspiration in folk art, particularly Canadian folk art. Artist like Maud Lewis and Anna Boberg fuel my inspirations to observe and record the human experience in nature.
Copyright [OLIVIAMYRAND] [2025] [oliviamyand.ca]