artist statement
Nozekanang bimose (pronounced nojhek-anang bee-moh-say; from an Algonquin dialect which translates to “star bear walking”. In this instance, the word “nozek” for “sow” is used instead of the more common “mukwa” to specially denote the female gender for bear.)
The piece is a visual interpretation of a conversation I had with Elder Pam Tremblay who spoke to me about identity, tradition, and purpose.
artist biography
Nathalie Bertin is a multidisciplinary visual artist from Toronto, Ontario. She has lived near the shores of Lake Nosbonsing, between North Bay and Mattawa, since 2021. She is of French, Metis and Algonquin ancestry with roots in Trois Rivieres (QC), Michilimakinac (USA) & Nipissing (ON).
After taking courses in animation, film and new media, Nathalie worked as a graphic designer for over 20 years. She went on to earn a B.A. in Adult Education with distinction before deciding to pursue her true passion, the arts, in 2009. However, not content with just one medium, she delves into painting, illustration, photography, sculptural installation and a variety of traditional crafts.
Nathalie has seen ten illustrations struck on collector coins for the Royal Canadian Mint, and has illustrated several children’s books for Nelson Education. She has self-published her first book of traditional stories accompanied by images of her beaded cushions, which she was able to create thanks to a grant from the Ontario Arts Council. She has presented her work in several solo and group exhibitions, curated exhibitions and co-created “Breathe: A Collection of Traditional Masks Demonstrating Resilience in the Face of the 21st Century Pandemic” to help artists work through the emotions provoked by the pandemic. This project has since gained international recognition.
Nathalie Bertin’s work can be found in the collections of the Government of Canada, the provinces of Manitoba and Alberta, the Royal Ontario Museum, and private collectors in Canada, the United States and Europe. Nathalie’s work and artistic practice have also been featured by CBC/Radio-Canada and TFO. She is also the recipient of Craft Ontario’s 2024 Lily Yung Memorial Award for excellence in craft.
