Mélanie Paulin - May to July 2024

Residency project :

Entitled " The Water We Wear ", the project addresses the hidden water footprint of the fashion and textile industry through the creation of a series of textile artworks. In the face of the climate crisis, fast fashion has turned clothing into disposable commodities, altering our relationship with the materials that surround us. The aim of this residency is to create the largest artwork in this series, symbolizing the colossal annual consumption of 79 trillion liters of water by the fashion and textile industry.

The public will be invited to participate in this artwork during interactive hooked rug sessions, using their own outdated clothing and textiles. These gatherings will raise awareness about the environmental impact of fast fashion while allowing the public to engage in artistic practices.

Drop-in sessions :
June 6 - 6 PM - 8 PM
June 11 - 10 AM - 12 PM
June 18 - 6 PM - 8 PM
June 27 - 10 AM - 12 PM
July 4 - 6 PM - 8 PM
July 9 - 10 AM - 12 PM

Over time, our detachment from the hands and machines that manufacture our clothing has led to a loss of understanding of their construction. This gap between modern consumers and the production process underscores the importance of reconnecting with manufacturing.

By valuing the objects we create, we naturally reduce the tendency to discard them hastily, encouraging more thoughtful consumption. This reconnection with the manufacturing process enables us to make more informed decisions about our material consumption and its environmental impact, promoting a more sustainable lifestyle.

This body of work is both a process of introspection examining my own choices of materials as a consumer and a collective reflection through interactions with members of the public and their contribution to the artistic work.

Artistic approach :

My artistic journey leads me to rediscover myself as well as the world around me. I am deeply drawn to the tactile nature of the materials I choose, which invites me to approach the creative process with thoughtful and personal intention.

Through the exploration of textile arts and printmaking, I interpret my life experiences by addressing themes such as environmental preservation, motherhood, and self-care. My work highlights the beauty of imperfections and celebrates the uniqueness of handmade craftsmanship. I frequently repurpose discarded materials, giving them a second life and transforming forgotten scraps of fabric, thread, and paper into unique pieces.

I create deliberately and with reflection, using slow and repetitive methods that provide a space where my thoughts intertwine with the rhythm of my hands' movements. This approach to "slow making" is not about the speed of creation; rather, it is a practice that aligns with the natural pace of life. By embracing this deliberate practice, I create a space conducive to personal growth, contemplation, and connection.

In a world of perpetual acceleration, I invite viewers to interact with my work slowly. I encourage them to take the time to pause, to explore their emotions more deeply, and to discover the beauty that emerges from the slow and deliberate appreciation of creativity.

Biography :

Mélanie Paulin is an emerging contemporary artist who primarily works in textiles and printmaking. Her artistic practice revolves around themes such as self-care, environmental care, and motherhood, which she explores and reinterprets through her own life experiences. She values the artisanal nature and imperfections of her work while showing a particular interest in acknowledging the many ways in which women express their art.

A graduate of the Foundation Visual Arts program at the New Brunswick College for Craft and Design, and a former participant of the ArtsLinkNB CATAPULT artistic acceleration program, Mélanie also holds a Ph.D. in environmental microbiology. She serves on the executive board of Galerie Sans Nom in Moncton and actively supports her artistic community.

Mélanie has been a recipient of grants from the New Brunswick Arts Council and has exhibited her work at Galerie Sans Nom, Atelier Imago, Galerie George Fry, and the FICFA festival. She resides and works in Moncton, New Brunswick, where she nurtures and creates.