About

Bio

Beth McCubbin presently moves back and forth from her studio in Low, QC to an apartment in Ottawa, ON. She has been working in the arts for 25 years; as a visual artist, an objects conservator, an instructor of mixed media, a programmer in artist-run centres, a curator in art galleries, a front-of-house, stage manager and set designer in theatre, and as a graphic designer.

Beth's work in theatre, art instruction, and conservation has greatly influenced her artistic journey. Engaging with diverse peoples and perspectives enriched her creative process, while her experience as an objects conservator deepened her understanding of materials, blending practical skills with creative vision.

Artist Statement

My art ambitions are committed to exploring and responding to the complexities of our material, social, and environmental worlds. I think of my art not just as a means of self-expression, but as a critical tool for commentary, reflection, and social intervention.

 Through my use of recycled materials, found objects, ceramics and concrete, I engage with texture, history and the potential inherent in everyday life. I attempt to create a space where the familiar and the forgotten can meet, to provide new perspectives on things we often take for granted.  This too aligns with the idea of celebrating and bringing attention to both the desired and undesired aspects of society; finding beauty or significance in what may be otherwise overlooked.

 I think of my work as both a mirror and a catalyst – reflecting societal issues and offering opportunities for viewers to reconsider their own relationships with the world around them.  My practice encompasses both art and activism, reinforcing the idea that art can be a vehicle for change, for challenging norms and for creating dialogue.  But equally significant, I focus on the importance of art in chronicling our lives and preserving cultural values. I strive to present the notion of art as both a reflective and protective act.

 My art is based in purposeful investigation, I am constantly exploring new questions and challenges enabling my work to remain dynamic and ever evolving and allowing it to be responsive to the shifting complexities of contemporary life.