Wendy Mataija

 Bio:

Toronto-based artist Wendy Mataija focuses on abstract, nature-focused art done on canvas or wood panels. She typically works in acrylics, resins and other mixed mediums and uses a variety of traditional and non-traditional methods that are themselves closely connected with nature – water, wind, air and gravity – to achieve the unique and colourful work.

Artist Statement:

As a liquid artist based in Toronto, my work is an exploration of fluidity and expression, seeking to create a dynamic dialogue between form and emotion. As someone navigating the world with a disability, my art becomes not only a means of creative expression but also a form of therapy.

In my practice, I use the unpredictable nature of liquid mediums to convey the ebb and flow of nature. Each piece is a dance of vibrant colors, glimmering metallics and shimmering surfaces, a reflection of ever-changing landscapes and physical forms. I work flat using non-traditional techniques that are themselves closely connected with nature – water, air, fire and gravity – to achieve the effects that typify my work. Through the manipulation of liquid materials, I seek to capture moments of beauty and peace.

I'm particularly attracted to the experimentation and methods of liquid art. The tension between myself and the liquids, mind over matter, is what fuels my passion. I can carefully influence pigment behaviors, explore different materials, movements or colours, but the spontaneous reactions in liquid art are a source of endless contemplation. I feel that this tension mirrors humanity’s unsuccessful struggle to control the primal, reproductive,  and unpredictable forces of nature.

More recently, I have been working on a figurative series. Entitled “Awake”, the paintings explore the intersection of disability, identity, the body and mental health during/post COVID-19. “Awake” invites viewers to contemplate the rich tapestry of human experience in a world that seeks to categorize and confine us. My disability informs the project, serving as a source of inspiration and a unique lens through which I perceive and interpret the world.

Through my art, I invite viewers to embrace the fluidity of life and appreciate nature. Each piece is a challenge to dive into the depths of the human experience, where disability becomes a catalyst for creativity and art becomes a powerful force for connection and transformation.