Desirée Patterson is a Canadian photographic artist currently living on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) nations, in Vancouver, BC. Her career began during a journey throughout forty countries across four continents. As she documented her extensive travels, she repeatedly observed exhausted environments and impoverished situations. These experiences impacted Patterson deeply, they served as a catalyst inspiring the themes and direction of her art practice. Patterson’s artistic process consists of digital image capture and meticulous post manipulation of form, shape and orientation, turning disparate layers into unified compositions. From creating industrial landscapes that seamlessly interweave with the human form (Éveil, 2018) and composing mountainous landscapes that embody the idea of melting (Point de Fusion, 2018), to merging endangered glaciers with climate temperature data (Anomaly, 2020) and generating macrocosmic planets that depict the precarious impact of humans on nature (Anthropocene, 2019), her work captivates, challenges and inspires viewers.
Key thematics in her work include sustainability, environmental issues, social justice and humanity’s dystopic relationship with nature.
Patterson’s work has been presented in numerous solo exhibitions, as well as over forty group shows between Canada, the United States and England. She has completed monumental scale photographic public art installations for a number of commissions in Canada and her work is found in private and corporate collections in North America, Europe, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong.
Patterson is also an activist and keenly aware of the impact that human behaviour bestows on Earth’s natural biosystems. In 2018 she trained with former Vice President Al Gore, in Los Angeles, in the role of civilian leadership as part of the Climate Reality Project, and in 2020, Patterson was a selected mentee in the International Centre of Art for Social Change, Futures/forward program, via SFU in partnership with Judith Marcuse Projects. Through visual art, the organization of public events, and by conducting community-engaged projects, Patterson feels that she can transcend societal barriers through the stimulation of curiosity and create opportunities that incite change.
Recent group exhibitions include: Nonreturnables, Two Rivers Gallery, Prince George (2023), The Other Art Fair, Brooklyn (2019), Concrete Contemporary, Waddingtons, Toronto (2019), Creative Climate Awards, Human Impacts Institute (2018), New York, Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition, Somerset House, London (2018).
Recent solo exhibitions of Patterson’s work include: Anomaly, Ferry Building Gallery, West Vancouver (2023), Paradigm Shift, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver (2022), Anthropocene: the Present I, Gallery 1515, Vancouver (2019) and Point De Fusion, Capture Photography Festival, Vancouver (2018).
CV
Desirée Patterson
Current Residence: Vancouver, British Columbia
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023 “Anomaly” Ferry Building Gallery, West Vancouver, BC
2022 “Paradigm Shift”, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver
2022 “Showcase”, Whistler Contemporary Gallery, Whistler
2019 “Anthropocene; The Present I”, Gallery 1515, Vancouver
2018 “Point De Fusion”, Capture Photography Festival, Truth and Beauty Gallery, Vancouver
2017 “Art on Demand 3.1”, the Reach Gallery & Museum, Abbotsford, BC
2017 “Enraciné”, Truth and Beauty Gallery, Vancouver
2017 “Inspiring Preservation: An Alternate Perspective”, Capture Photography Festival, New West
2017 “Art on Demand 3:1”, The Reach Gallery Museum, Abbotsford
2010 “2010 Winter Olympics”, Whistler Arts Council Venues, Whistler
PUBLIC ART
2023 Photographic mural, building-scale installation (1335 sqft), commissioned by ONNI Group, Burnaby, BC
2023 “As it Once Was”, large-scale facade graphic installation (4300 sqft) & 2 custom murals, commissioned by Alliance Partners, Richmond, BC
2020 “Shifting Times”, archival photographic artwork commissioned by City of Richmond, BC
2019 “Enraciné”, commissioned by Mobi Bikes + Shaw GO, Vancouver, BC
2019 “Anthropocene; the Present I”, building-scale photo installation, King Edward Skytrain Station facade, curated by InTransit BC + Capture Photography Festival, Vancouver, BC
2018 “Local Geography” building-scale photo installations commissioned by Modern Niagara, North Vancouver, BC
2018 “Whistler Spirit”, structural photographic installation commissioned by Crystal Lodge and Suites Hotel, Whistler, BC
2017 “Pacific Salmon”, artwork commissioned for Garry Point Park, by City of Richmond, BC
2016 “Fauna”, 4 building-scale photo installations, commissioned by BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver
2015 Local urban mural commissioned mural by Mercury Contracting, Vancouver, BC
2014 “Black Tusk”, commissioned mural by Crystal Lodge and Suites Hotel, Whistler, BC
COMMUNITY ENGAGED ART
2024 “Visions of Biophilia”, Engaging Artists in Community Program (1 year residency), City of Richmond/Richmond Nature Park, BC
2023 “Art & Stewardship”, community engaged workshop, Two Rivers Gallery, Prince George, BC
2023 “Art & Stewardship”, community engaged workshop, Harmony Arts Festival, West Vancouver, BC
2021 “Interconnected” community art project conducted with Alternatives Gallery & Studios, East Van
2020 “FUTURES/forward“, selected mentee in program, International Centre of Art for Social Change (via SFU and Judith Marcuse Projects), Vancouver, BC
2019 “Climate Legacy” student art project commissioned by Chief Maquinna Elementary, generously supported by VSB funding (Betty Wellburn Artistic Legacies Grant), Vancouver, BC
GROUP EXHIBITS + FAIRS + AUCTIONS, SELECTED
2023 What Moves you, Pendulum Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2023 NONRETURNABLES, Two Rivers Gallery, Prince George, BC
2022 NEXT (via East Side Culture Crawl), Pendulum Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2022 Illuminate Gala Preview, Audain Gallery, Whistler, BC
2021 Art Rich, Richmond Art Gallery, Richmond, BC
2021 Surfacing, the Cultch Gallery, East Van, BC
2021 Authentic Self; A New Equilibrium, Headline Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2021 Parker Art Salon, Gallery George, Vancouver, BC
2021 Essential Travel, Pendulum Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2021 Tip of the Iceberg, Two Rivers Gallery, Prince George, BC
2021 The Poetry Project, Gallery George, Vancouver, BC
2019 Parker Art Salon, 1000 Parker Street Studios, East Vancouver, BC
2019 The Other Art Fair, (Frieze satellite fair), Brooklyn, New York
2019 Concrete Contemporary, Waddingtons Auctioneers, Toronto, Ontario
2019 Formulation of Time, Lipont Place, Richmond, BC
2019 SNAP 2019, live auction, Arcadian Court, Toronto, Ontario
2018 Concrete Contemporary, Waddingtons Auctioneers, Toronto, Ontario
2018 Bombay Artisan Series, Gallery Jones, Vancouver, BC
2018 Creative Climate Awards, Human Impacts Institute, Manhattan, New York
2018 Parker Art Salon, 1000 Parker Street Studios, East Vancouver, BC
2018 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition, Somerset House, London, England
2018 The Other Art Fair, Los Angeles, California
2018 La Quinta Arts Festival, La Quinta, California
2017 ArtRich 2017, Richmond Art Gallery, Richmond, BC
2017 East Side Culture Crawl, 1000 Parker St., East Vancouver, BC
2017 Harmony Arts Festival, West Vancouver, BC
2017 Concrete Contemporary, Waddingtons Auctioneers, Toronto, Ontario
2017 ROVE, Gene Studios, Vancouver, BC
2016 Interior Design Show Vancouver, Vancouver Convention Centre, BC
2016 Bombay Artisan Series, Winsor Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2016 Art of Photography, Harmony Arts Festival, West Vancouver, BC
2016 State of the Art, Whistler Convention Centre, Whistler, BC
2015 East Side Culture Crawl, Van Co Lab, East Vancouver, BC
2015 Place & Journal, The Crystal Gallery, Whistler, BC
2015 Re: Semblance, Ferry Building Gallery, West Vancouver, BC
2014 Hollyburn Showcase, Hollyburn Country Club, West Vancouver, BC
2014 Interior Design Show West, Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, BC
2014 Vancouver Home & Design Show, BC Place, Vancouver, BC
2014 State of the Art, Whistler Convention Centre, Whistler, BC
2013 Harmony Arts Festival, West Vancouver, BC
2013 State of the Art, Whistler Convention Centre, Whistler, BC
2013 Signature Artist Series, SS Modern Art Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2012 12.12.12, SS Modern Art Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2012 State of the Art, Whistler Convention Centre, Whistler, BC
2012 Spirit Dancers, Squamish Lil’ Wat Cultural Centre, Whistler, BC
2011 Harmony Arts Festival, West Vancouver, BC
2009 Art Walk Series, Scotia Bank Gallery, Whistler, BC
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Pique Magazine, artist feature, written by Brandon Barrett, April 2022
Semper Feminae Magazine, IV; Pasisajes Posibles, Anomaly Feature, Spring 2022
Whistler Traveller Magazine, EVOLUTION - Artists on Motion, by Rebecca Wood Barrett, Spring 2021
Mountain Life Magazine, 2019 ANNUAL Edition, HauteTerre, Winter 2019
CAPITEL. Magazine - story by Fernanada Ramirez, Spring 2019
Coast Mountain Culture - story by Steven Threndyle, Spring 2019
The Georgia Straight, “Desirée Patterson Wins the Canada Line Station Competition”, Spring 2019
Pique Magazine, “Whistler History on Display in New Installation”, story by Alyssa Noel, January 2019
Langley Times, “Artist Takes on Activism Through Photography”, by Miranda Fatur, November 2018
Snow Magazine, “Art and Allegory”, story by Steven Threndyle, Spring 2018
Langley Times, “Photograph captures climate change in new series”, by Miranda Gathercole, Spring 2018
The Goodmen Project, “Making Art, Making a Difference”, story by Ira Israel, Spring 2018
Thrive Global, “Desirée Patterson, Making Art, Making a Difference”, story by Ira Israel, Spring 2018
PhotoLife Magazine,“2018 Sony World Photography Awards: 9 Canadians Recognized”, Spring 2018
PhotoEd Magazine, Cover Artwork & Artist Feature, story by Peppa Martin, December 2017
Truth & Beauty, “Enraciné:The Back Story with Desirée Patterson” by Peppa Martin, November 2017
Tenth To The Fraser, Capture Photography Festival Artist Feature, story by Sunshine Frére, Spring 2017
New Westminster Record, “Capture Photo Festival Comes to New West” May, 2017
HLM Magazine, “The Art of Activism”, story by Cindy Yu, Spring 2017
The Georgia Straight, Cover Story/Artist Feature, by Janet Smith, Fall 2015
The Langley Times, “Inspiring Preservation Through Photography”, by Miranda Gathercole, Fall 2015
24 Hour News, East Side Culture Crawl Feature, story by Zoe Grams, Fall 2015
West Vancouver Living Magazine, Artist Feature, story by Maria Spitale-Leisk, Spring 2014
AWARDS
Finalist, Mobi Bikes by Shaw Go, and East Side Culture Crawl, Art Bikes, Vancouver, 2019
Finalist, Georgia Straight’s Canada Line Competition, Capture Photography Festival, Vancouver, 2019
Semi-Finalist, Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series, Vancouver, 2018
Semi-Finalist, Creative Climate Awards, Human Impacts Institute, Manhattan, New York 2018
Commended Winner, Sony World Photography Awards, Somerset House, London, England, 2018
Semi-Finalist, Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series, Vancouver, 2016
Honorable Mention Winner, PX3, Prix de la Photographie, Paris, France, 2015