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Artist Bio
Shyra DeSouza is an interdisciplinary artist, originally from Calgary, and currently based in Berlin. She attended the Sculpture department at the Alberta College of Art & Design in Calgary, Canada, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts with distinction in 2006. Her primary artistic interests lie in unravelling and reorganising the perceptions that characterise contemporary lived experience, utilising strategies and concepts such as: mimetic exacerbation, memento mori, pareidolia, ennui, and implication of the viewer to drive the development of her work. DeSouza’s practice encompasses a broad set of skills and materials, typically resulting in various forms of film, installation, and sculpture. She has screened/exhibited her work across Canada, in the United States, and in Europe. As well as maintaining an artistic studio practice, she has undertaken several volunteer administration and board roles within the Calgary arts community, and has been awarded a number of grants and residencies. |
Education & Residencies
2016
Artist in Residence, Picture Berlin hybrid Residency/Art Academy, Berlin, Germany. (with presenting artists such as Simon Faithfull, and Eduardo Mattos, and mentor curators such as Tina Sauerländer and Matthew Burbidge.)
2014
Artist in Residence, Re: Making with Peter von Tiesenhausen, Banff Centre, Banff, AB. With visiting artists Mia Feuer, Heather and Ivan
Morison, and visiting curator Martha Kirszenbaum.
2012
St[art] Residency, Calgary Allied Arts Foundation, Art Central, Calgary, AB.
2011
Banff Artist In Residence (BAIR), Banff Centre for the Arts, Banff, AB.
2009
Creative Self-Directed Residency, Banff Centre for the Arts, Banff, AB.
2006
Bachelor of Fine Arts with Distinction, Sculpture, Alberta College of Art and Design, Calgary, AB.
2005
Work practicum – Stride Gallery, Calgary, AB.
Scholarships/Awards
2016
First Place Award, Quickdraw Animation Lockdown Competition, Quickdraw Animation Society, Calgary, AB.
2014
Banff Centre Scholarship, Banff Centre, Banff, AB.
Gold Remi Award, Worldfest International Film & Video Festival, Houston, TX.
2012
Canadian Cinema Editors Award (nomination), Toronto, ON.
2011
Finishing Funds Recipient, Emmedia Gallery and Production Society, Calgary, AB
2009 - 2010
Production Scholarship Award, Quickdraw Animation Society, Calgary, AB.
2005
Jason Lang Scholarship, Alberta Heritage Scholarship Fund, Edmonton, AB.
2004
Jason Lang Scholarship, Alberta Heritage Scholarship Fund, Edmonton, AB.
2003
Jason Lang Scholarship, Alberta Heritage Scholarship Fund, Edmonton, AB.
Grants
2016
Art Production Grant, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Edmonton, AB.
2014
Professional Development Grant, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, AB.
2013
Art Production Grant, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Edmonton, AB.
2012
Calgary 2012 Grassroots Inspired Grants, Calgary 2012, Calgary, AB.
2011
Visual Arts & New Media Training & Career Development Grant, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Edmonton, AB.
Film and Video Production Grant, Canada Council for the Arts (Alberta Creative Development Initiative), Ottawa, ON.
2009
Film and Video Career Development and Training Grant, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Edmonton AB.
Selected Solo and 2-Person Exhibitions
2017
A Paradigm of Fusion, Montréal, arts interculturels, Montreal, QC (2 person exhibition)
2016
Vestigial Manoeuvers/ Évolution du vestige, Main Gallery, OBORO, Montreal, QC. (new commission).
Longshadow, Mariani Gallery, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO.
2015
Phantom Limb, Campbell River Art Gallery, Campbell River, BC.
Phantom Limb, Alternator Centre, Main Space, Kelowna, BC.
Longshadow, Two Rivers Gallery, The Galleria, Prince George, BC.
Sublime by Proxy, Cabinet Gallery, Halifax, NS.
Phantom Limb, Galerie du Nouvel-Ontario, Sudbury, ON.
2014
Phantom Limb, Okotoks Art Gallery, Okotoks, AB.
Distraction of a Stationary Nature, The Vault, Gallery of St. Albert, St. Albert, AB.
Longshadow, Stride Gallery, Calgary, AB. Accompanying text written by Jenna Swift.
Labyrinth of the Eternal Archetype, Visual Arts Alberta Gallery, Edmonton, AB.
2013
Phantom Limb, ProjEx Room, Latitude53, Edmonton, AB.
2012
Phantom Limb, The Ledge Gallery, EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts, Calgary, AB.
2011
Labyrinth of the Eternal Archetype, The New Gallery, Plus15 Project Space, Calgary, AB.
2010
Façade, POST Exhibit, Art Central, Calgary, AB.
2008
Arcanum, Patch Project, Truck Contemporary Art, Calgary, AB.
2005
Ethos and Pathos, Marion Nicoll Gallery Plus15 Window Space, Calgary, AB.
Selected Group Exhibitions
2020
TBD, Artrooms Moravany, Prague, Czech Republic.
The-Blue-Light (a collaborative project curated by Bogdan Cheta, and supported by M:ST Performative Arts Festival, The Canada Council for the Arts, and the Calgary Queer Arts Society), CommunityWise Resource Centre, Calgary, AB.
2017
Illimerance - a disquieting lounge, Sad Bastards & Lonely Hearts Ball, Elephant Artist Relief fundraiser, #1 Legion, Calgary, AB.
2014
FOUND: The Art of Re-Use, Touchstones Nelson: Museum of Art and History, Nelson, BC., (alongside Cedric and Nate Bomford and others),
curated by Rod Taylor.
2013
Art Souterrain 2013, Art Souterrain, Montreal, QC.
2012
Interpose, Sweet City Celebration, BMO Centre-Stampede Park, Calgary, AB.
2011
Work in Progress, The Other Gallery, The Banff Centre, Banff, AB.
Ecosystems, UAS Satellite Gallery, Calgary, AB.
Interpose, Digital Graffiti Festival, Alys Beach, Panama City Beach, FL.
2010
Light Proof: A Darkroom Photo Show, Untitled Art Society, Calgary, AB. Curated by Vicki Chau.
2009
Red Versus Green, Without Borders VI: Conjunction, University of Maine, Orono, ME.
2008
Coordinating Team Exhibition, Untitled Art Society, Calgary, AB.
Selected Screenings
2020
Community Diary Screenings, Mount Pleasant Community Art Screen, a project by Grunt Gallery, Vancouver, Canada
2017
Animation Lockdown Screening, Quickdraw Animation Society, Calgary, AB.
2016
Quickdraw Animation Society Animation Lockdown Screening, CommunityWise Resource Centre, Calgary, AB.
2014
Distraction of a Stationary Nature, Haida Gwaii Film Festival, Queen Charlotte, BC.
Distraction of a Stationary Nature, Winnipeg Film Group, Cinematheque Presents, Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth; Contemporary
Women’s Animation, Winnipeg, MB.
Distraction of a Stationary Nature, Reel 2 Real International Film Festival for Children and Youth, Vancouver, BC.
2013/2014
Distraction of a Stationary Nature, Prairie Tales 15, multiple venues and locations in Alberta and across Canada.
2013
Distraction of a Stationary Nature, St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival 24, St. Johns, NL.
Distraction of a Stationary Nature, 37th Open Air Film Festival Weiterstadt, Weiterstadt, Germany.
Distraction of a Stationary Nature, Vidéos de Femmes Dans le Parc, Groupe Intervention Video, Montreal, QC.
Distraction of a Stationary Nature, Lethbridge Alberta Motion Picture Showcase, Lethbridge, AB.
Distraction of a Stationary Nature, Calgary Animated Objects Festival, Calgary, AB. Curated by Lyle Pisio.
2010
Interpose, Scholarship Screening, Quickdraw Animation Society, Calgary AB.
2009
Fooliage!, Sled Island Festival, Calgary Public Library, Calgary, AB.
Online Exhibitions
2020 Fragilities, Wired Up Thoughts, Instagram project.
2017 Mermaids and Unicorns, online exhibition curated by: Carlotta Meyer, Benoit Palop and Tina Sauerländer, www.mermaidsandunicorns.net
Artist Talks/Panels/Lectures
2016
Artist Talk, Picture Berlin artist residency presentation, tête, Berlin, Germany
2015
Artist Talk, Alternator Centre, Main Gallery, Kelowna, BC
Artist Talk, Two Rivers Gallery, Rustadt Galleria, Prince George, BC.
Artist Talk, Galerie du Nouvel-Ontario, Sudbury, ON.
2014
Artist Talk, Touchstones Nelson Museum of Art and History, Nelson, BC
2013
Artist Talk, Latitude53, Edmonton, AB.
2012
Lecturer, UAS Submissions/Lecture, Untitled Art Society, Calgary, AB.
2011
Visiting Artist and Scholar Lecture Series Artist Talk, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB.
Multi-Tenant Spaces Discussion Panelist, Arts Champions Congress (Calgary Arts Development Authority), Theatre Junction
GRAND Studio, Calgary, AB.
2010
Production Scholarship Artist Talk, Quickdraw Animation Society, Calgary, AB.
Other Professional Activities and Initiatives
2017
Expert Assessment Panel, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Edmonton, AB.
2015
Project Grants Peer Assessor, Canada Council for the Arts, Visual Arts section, Ottawa, ON.
2012
Calgary ArtsVest Program Assessor, Calgary Arts Development, Calgary, AB.
2010 - 2012
Selection Jury Member, Calgary Animated Objects Society Festival, Calgary, AB.
2010
Production Scholarship Award Selection Jury, Quickdraw Animation Society, Calgary, AB.
2009 - 2013
Founding Board Member, Media and Visual Arts Housing Association of Calgary (MaVA) (Director 2008 - 2009, Treasurer
2009 - current), Calgary, AB.
2009 - 2012
Programming Selection Jury, Untitled Art Society, Calgary, AB.
2009
Board Development Training Member, Board Development Program, Alberta Tourism, Parks Recreation & Culture,
Calgary, AB.
2008
Board Development Training – Wildrose Foundation, Calgary, AB.
2007 - 2012
Board Member, Untitled Art Society (Director 2007 - 2009, Vice Chair 2009 - 2010, President 2010 – 2012, Past-President
2012 - present), Calgary, AB.
Publications
2013
Art is Rational, Calgary Arts Plan web site, Calgary Arts Development Authority, Calgary, AB.
Representation/Distribution
2012
Winnipeg Film Group, Winnipeg, MB. (Distraction of a Stationary Nature, 2012)
2016
Artist in Residence, Picture Berlin hybrid Residency/Art Academy, Berlin, Germany. (with presenting artists such as Simon Faithfull, and Eduardo Mattos, and mentor curators such as Tina Sauerländer and Matthew Burbidge.)
2014
Artist in Residence, Re: Making with Peter von Tiesenhausen, Banff Centre, Banff, AB. With visiting artists Mia Feuer, Heather and Ivan
Morison, and visiting curator Martha Kirszenbaum.
2012
St[art] Residency, Calgary Allied Arts Foundation, Art Central, Calgary, AB.
2011
Banff Artist In Residence (BAIR), Banff Centre for the Arts, Banff, AB.
2009
Creative Self-Directed Residency, Banff Centre for the Arts, Banff, AB.
2006
Bachelor of Fine Arts with Distinction, Sculpture, Alberta College of Art and Design, Calgary, AB.
2005
Work practicum – Stride Gallery, Calgary, AB.
Scholarships/Awards
2016
First Place Award, Quickdraw Animation Lockdown Competition, Quickdraw Animation Society, Calgary, AB.
2014
Banff Centre Scholarship, Banff Centre, Banff, AB.
Gold Remi Award, Worldfest International Film & Video Festival, Houston, TX.
2012
Canadian Cinema Editors Award (nomination), Toronto, ON.
2011
Finishing Funds Recipient, Emmedia Gallery and Production Society, Calgary, AB
2009 - 2010
Production Scholarship Award, Quickdraw Animation Society, Calgary, AB.
2005
Jason Lang Scholarship, Alberta Heritage Scholarship Fund, Edmonton, AB.
2004
Jason Lang Scholarship, Alberta Heritage Scholarship Fund, Edmonton, AB.
2003
Jason Lang Scholarship, Alberta Heritage Scholarship Fund, Edmonton, AB.
Grants
2016
Art Production Grant, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Edmonton, AB.
2014
Professional Development Grant, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, AB.
2013
Art Production Grant, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Edmonton, AB.
2012
Calgary 2012 Grassroots Inspired Grants, Calgary 2012, Calgary, AB.
2011
Visual Arts & New Media Training & Career Development Grant, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Edmonton, AB.
Film and Video Production Grant, Canada Council for the Arts (Alberta Creative Development Initiative), Ottawa, ON.
2009
Film and Video Career Development and Training Grant, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Edmonton AB.
Selected Solo and 2-Person Exhibitions
2017
A Paradigm of Fusion, Montréal, arts interculturels, Montreal, QC (2 person exhibition)
2016
Vestigial Manoeuvers/ Évolution du vestige, Main Gallery, OBORO, Montreal, QC. (new commission).
Longshadow, Mariani Gallery, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO.
2015
Phantom Limb, Campbell River Art Gallery, Campbell River, BC.
Phantom Limb, Alternator Centre, Main Space, Kelowna, BC.
Longshadow, Two Rivers Gallery, The Galleria, Prince George, BC.
Sublime by Proxy, Cabinet Gallery, Halifax, NS.
Phantom Limb, Galerie du Nouvel-Ontario, Sudbury, ON.
2014
Phantom Limb, Okotoks Art Gallery, Okotoks, AB.
Distraction of a Stationary Nature, The Vault, Gallery of St. Albert, St. Albert, AB.
Longshadow, Stride Gallery, Calgary, AB. Accompanying text written by Jenna Swift.
Labyrinth of the Eternal Archetype, Visual Arts Alberta Gallery, Edmonton, AB.
2013
Phantom Limb, ProjEx Room, Latitude53, Edmonton, AB.
2012
Phantom Limb, The Ledge Gallery, EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts, Calgary, AB.
2011
Labyrinth of the Eternal Archetype, The New Gallery, Plus15 Project Space, Calgary, AB.
2010
Façade, POST Exhibit, Art Central, Calgary, AB.
2008
Arcanum, Patch Project, Truck Contemporary Art, Calgary, AB.
2005
Ethos and Pathos, Marion Nicoll Gallery Plus15 Window Space, Calgary, AB.
Selected Group Exhibitions
2020
TBD, Artrooms Moravany, Prague, Czech Republic.
The-Blue-Light (a collaborative project curated by Bogdan Cheta, and supported by M:ST Performative Arts Festival, The Canada Council for the Arts, and the Calgary Queer Arts Society), CommunityWise Resource Centre, Calgary, AB.
2017
Illimerance - a disquieting lounge, Sad Bastards & Lonely Hearts Ball, Elephant Artist Relief fundraiser, #1 Legion, Calgary, AB.
2014
FOUND: The Art of Re-Use, Touchstones Nelson: Museum of Art and History, Nelson, BC., (alongside Cedric and Nate Bomford and others),
curated by Rod Taylor.
2013
Art Souterrain 2013, Art Souterrain, Montreal, QC.
2012
Interpose, Sweet City Celebration, BMO Centre-Stampede Park, Calgary, AB.
2011
Work in Progress, The Other Gallery, The Banff Centre, Banff, AB.
Ecosystems, UAS Satellite Gallery, Calgary, AB.
Interpose, Digital Graffiti Festival, Alys Beach, Panama City Beach, FL.
2010
Light Proof: A Darkroom Photo Show, Untitled Art Society, Calgary, AB. Curated by Vicki Chau.
2009
Red Versus Green, Without Borders VI: Conjunction, University of Maine, Orono, ME.
2008
Coordinating Team Exhibition, Untitled Art Society, Calgary, AB.
Selected Screenings
2020
Community Diary Screenings, Mount Pleasant Community Art Screen, a project by Grunt Gallery, Vancouver, Canada
2017
Animation Lockdown Screening, Quickdraw Animation Society, Calgary, AB.
2016
Quickdraw Animation Society Animation Lockdown Screening, CommunityWise Resource Centre, Calgary, AB.
2014
Distraction of a Stationary Nature, Haida Gwaii Film Festival, Queen Charlotte, BC.
Distraction of a Stationary Nature, Winnipeg Film Group, Cinematheque Presents, Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth; Contemporary
Women’s Animation, Winnipeg, MB.
Distraction of a Stationary Nature, Reel 2 Real International Film Festival for Children and Youth, Vancouver, BC.
2013/2014
Distraction of a Stationary Nature, Prairie Tales 15, multiple venues and locations in Alberta and across Canada.
2013
Distraction of a Stationary Nature, St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival 24, St. Johns, NL.
Distraction of a Stationary Nature, 37th Open Air Film Festival Weiterstadt, Weiterstadt, Germany.
Distraction of a Stationary Nature, Vidéos de Femmes Dans le Parc, Groupe Intervention Video, Montreal, QC.
Distraction of a Stationary Nature, Lethbridge Alberta Motion Picture Showcase, Lethbridge, AB.
Distraction of a Stationary Nature, Calgary Animated Objects Festival, Calgary, AB. Curated by Lyle Pisio.
2010
Interpose, Scholarship Screening, Quickdraw Animation Society, Calgary AB.
2009
Fooliage!, Sled Island Festival, Calgary Public Library, Calgary, AB.
Online Exhibitions
2020 Fragilities, Wired Up Thoughts, Instagram project.
2017 Mermaids and Unicorns, online exhibition curated by: Carlotta Meyer, Benoit Palop and Tina Sauerländer, www.mermaidsandunicorns.net
Artist Talks/Panels/Lectures
2016
Artist Talk, Picture Berlin artist residency presentation, tête, Berlin, Germany
2015
Artist Talk, Alternator Centre, Main Gallery, Kelowna, BC
Artist Talk, Two Rivers Gallery, Rustadt Galleria, Prince George, BC.
Artist Talk, Galerie du Nouvel-Ontario, Sudbury, ON.
2014
Artist Talk, Touchstones Nelson Museum of Art and History, Nelson, BC
2013
Artist Talk, Latitude53, Edmonton, AB.
2012
Lecturer, UAS Submissions/Lecture, Untitled Art Society, Calgary, AB.
2011
Visiting Artist and Scholar Lecture Series Artist Talk, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB.
Multi-Tenant Spaces Discussion Panelist, Arts Champions Congress (Calgary Arts Development Authority), Theatre Junction
GRAND Studio, Calgary, AB.
2010
Production Scholarship Artist Talk, Quickdraw Animation Society, Calgary, AB.
Other Professional Activities and Initiatives
2017
Expert Assessment Panel, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Edmonton, AB.
2015
Project Grants Peer Assessor, Canada Council for the Arts, Visual Arts section, Ottawa, ON.
2012
Calgary ArtsVest Program Assessor, Calgary Arts Development, Calgary, AB.
2010 - 2012
Selection Jury Member, Calgary Animated Objects Society Festival, Calgary, AB.
2010
Production Scholarship Award Selection Jury, Quickdraw Animation Society, Calgary, AB.
2009 - 2013
Founding Board Member, Media and Visual Arts Housing Association of Calgary (MaVA) (Director 2008 - 2009, Treasurer
2009 - current), Calgary, AB.
2009 - 2012
Programming Selection Jury, Untitled Art Society, Calgary, AB.
2009
Board Development Training Member, Board Development Program, Alberta Tourism, Parks Recreation & Culture,
Calgary, AB.
2008
Board Development Training – Wildrose Foundation, Calgary, AB.
2007 - 2012
Board Member, Untitled Art Society (Director 2007 - 2009, Vice Chair 2009 - 2010, President 2010 – 2012, Past-President
2012 - present), Calgary, AB.
Publications
2013
Art is Rational, Calgary Arts Plan web site, Calgary Arts Development Authority, Calgary, AB.
Representation/Distribution
2012
Winnipeg Film Group, Winnipeg, MB. (Distraction of a Stationary Nature, 2012)