Critical Distance DIRECTORY Josée Pedneault

Referencing philosophy, scientific theories as well as traditional cosmogonies, Josée Pedneault’s  artistic practice questions belief systems that define our conception of the natural world. Of particular significance is the way in which abstract concepts take tangible forms, such as maps and time-measuring devices; forms that reflect our psychological, cultural and historical understanding of the world. In her process, she freely adopts scientific research methods and references such as the collection of proof-like material, the examination of archives, the use of databases, and the observation of natural phenomena. Pedneault builds installations using photographs combined with objects, drawings, archive material, and small sculptures. The fragmented layering and synthesis of these diverse forms, images, combined with shifts in perspective, disrupt a unified reading. This prompts viewers to produce new meanings by contemplating the problematic manner in which the world is experienced and understood.

Josée Pedneault is a visual artist living and working in Montreal. Her work has been shown in national and international venues, such as Künstlerhaus Bethanien (Berlin, 2018), CONTACT Gallery (Toronto, 2015), TYPOLOGY (Toronto, 2015), Museo del Chopo (Mexico City, 2014) and Darling Foundry (Montréal 2012). Since the beginning of her career, artist residencies have shaped her art practice and thinking process. She has completed several residencies at Künstlerhaus Bethanien (Berlin, 2018), Street Level Photoworks (Glasgow, 2017), Tokyo Wonder Site (Japan, CALQ, 2016), Beta-Local (Puerto Rico, 2015), SIM (Island, 2011), the Quebec studio in Mexico (Mexico, CALQ, 2009), the Cité des arts à Paris (France, CALQ, 2008), and at CCA Ujazdowski Castle (Warsaw, Poland, 2006). She also creates public art projects for private and public institutions. Josée Pedneault holds an MFA in studio art from Concordia University and is a co-founder of artist-run-centre Les Territoires. She is a part-time teacher in the department of photography at Concordia University.

Image: Josée Pedneault, Birdwatching, 2014, photography and drawing, 50 x 60 cm