Collection: Andrea Simmonds

Andrea Simmonds is a painter who focuses on local ecology to inform her work. Using fieldwork, reference guides, and experience, she explores the intersection of ecology and abstraction. She studies plant relationships with complementary species and translates this information into paintings. Much of her work is focused on the Garry oak ecosystem, capturing some of the rare and unique plants it encompasses. Andrea is fascinated by the overlaps between her gardening and artistic practice, bringing some of the methods learned in gardening onto the canvas/panel. This can be seen in layering of material, the occasional burning, and plant relationships found in nature. The overarching theme of her work is a dedication to her love of plants, seeds, the sky, cycles, weather patterns, and roots.

Andrea Simmonds received her Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke, QC and her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) with Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver, BC. She lives and works in Victoria, British Columbia, on the traditional territories of the Lək‘wəŋən people represented by the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations and the WSÁNEĆ People of the Saanich Peninsula, W̱JOȽEȽEP (Tsartlip), SȾÁU,TW̱ (Tsawout), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), and WSÍ,KEM (Tseycum).