Janice Wright-Cheney, a Foundation Visual Arts Instructor at the New Brunswick College of Craft & Design (NBCCD), is among thirteen Canadian artists featured in the Rewilding Exhibition at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa with her artwork Spectre.

Rewilding focuses on restoring natural environments to their original, self-sustaining states. This process enhances biodiversity, strengthens ecosystems, and fosters thriving, resilient landscapes.

This prestigious exhibition, curated by Helen Gregory of Western University’s McIntosh Gallery, highlights the winners of the inaugural David Suzuki Foundation Rewilding Arts Prize. Selected by a jury of esteemed Canadian artists, the showcased works explore themes of environmentalism and the relationship between humans and the natural world.

The Rewilding Arts Prize recognizes artists who creatively spotlight the importance of rewilding in our lives and communities, inspiring meaningful connections with the natural world.

Close-up of 'Spectre' by Janice Wright-Cheney, a polar bear silhouette crafted from crocheted snowflakes, on display at the Canadian Museum of Nature's Rewilding Exhibition.

Janice Wright-Cheney’s Award-Winning Artwork Spectre

Wright-Cheney’s piece, titled Spectre, is a silhouette of a polar bear crafted from suspended crocheted snowflakes. Inspired by the true story of a polar bear once held in captivity at the Banff Park Museum Zoo, Spectre serves as an elegy to the bear and a commentary on the practice of confining wild animals for human spectacle. The installation’s haunting presence contrasts with the museum’s dioramas and taxidermy displays, embodying the concept of “unwilding” within the Rewilding Exhibition.

Spotlighting Environmental Art at the Canadian Museum of Nature

Wright-Cheney shared her excitement about the project:
“I am pleased that my work Spectre is now installed at the Canadian Museum of Nature alongside the other twelve recipients of the David Suzuki Rewilding Arts Prize. Traveling to Ottawa for the opening festivities was an incredible experience. Meeting the other artists and engaging with the public made this event truly memorable.”

This exhibition is a testament to Wright-Cheney’s commitment to environmental art and her ability to provoke meaningful conversations through her work.

The Rewilding Exhibition will be on display until September 8, 2025.