artist biography

Nicole (she/her) is a Mi’kmaq artist from Little Port, Elmastukwek, Ktaqmkuk. Nicole is a self-taught beadwork artist and leather tanner who is influenced by historical styles of Mi’kmaq visual culture, including the double curve motif, petroglyphs and hieroglyphs. 

Nicole’s practice attempts to draw on generations of knowledge for a self-sustainable existence; the knowledge that has sustained those of her family and community for hundreds of years. Sustainable practices and connection to land have been part of Nicole’s life, living around the water.

Nicole’s duty is to create work that has zero-low environmental impact, and she has noticed how things in the environment have changed over her lifetime as the importance of sustainability has not been prioritized by all.

Honouring the relationship with land though the care of the ecosystem we are part of is important to Nicole’s practice. Creating art is a process of honouring and staying connected to nature.

The uniqueness of the visual appearance of Nicole’s work is to draw the attention of viewers and ignite conversations on the materials and methods used, providing a natural flow into preservation and sustainability of the water and resources.

“Because we are always evolving as who we are as individuals, learning, experiencing, and growing; my artwork is a representation of who I am at this specific point in time, including my knowledge of traditions and culture.”