Ashley Snook

Informed by biology, scientific research and socio-cultural dynamics, Ashley Snook explores the complexities of diverse living networks and the concept of animality. To Snook, exploring ones own unique position in animality has the potential to open perspective on human existence and relationships with one another, human-animal relationships, and relationality to the more-than-human world. It is a rebellious act against hegemonic forces that have enabled things like environmental degradation, capitalism, hate, overworking, and conformity. Her practice explores connections through differences, impermanence, composting, and imaginative reworlding, and therefore, animality is a constant theme of contemplation in Snooks work. Working predominantly in drawing, sculpture and installation, animality is imbued in everything she does. She is fascinated by the micro and macro relationships between human animals, nonhuman animals, bacteria, fungi, and vegetal/botanical life—this prompts her to blur distinctions as to what is human, animal, plant, living, or nonliving. Within these methods of creating, Snook looks to ways in which she can further engage her audience. This often looks like incorporating viewer participation, encouraging present...

PhD, Art and Visual Culture (studio stream), Western University, London, ON

MFA, Interdisciplinary Master's in Art, Media & Design, OCAD University, Toronto, ON

BFA, Nipissing University, North Bay, ON

Works seen are most recent only. To see more works and projects by this artist, please visit www.ashleysnook.com