Nicole Rayburn 2023 Longlist

Artist Bio

I grew up on a farm in Saskatchewan, and despite hating winter, i live in Dawson City, a remote, cold, northern community in Yukon, Canada (did i mention cold?). I spend most of my time struggling with mental health issues, which i’ve recently started to blame on the capitalist system & overall fuckedup world, & this has been going well for me. As you will notice, i’m obsessed with pink and repetition and absurdity, all of which pair nicely with obsession. Most of what i make is shit. Witnesses to failed attempts at trying to find meaning or value or understanding of the world. What remains offered fleeting glimpses of clarity at some moment. I barely even remember of what now.

Artist Statement

My practice is a loud, blundering convergence of video, text, & still imagery, usually of naturey-things, and often involving swearing animals for some reason? Almost everything i 1 make is sweet, beautiful, perfect pink. I’m not entirely sure but suspect that the overarching theme of my work is that the world is fucked, the bees are all dying, & we are all going to burn. or maybe drown. or both. I bid you godspeed.