photography by Natalie Matutschovsky
ARTIST'S STATEMENTHeather Goodchild’s work strives to uncover and explore stories and symbols with universal resonance. Focussing on textiles as a medium, she creates felt portraits, rugs, quilts, silk screened prints, soft sculpture, and dioramas.
Much of the inspiration for her techniques and approach comes from folk art and traditional music. The naive and anonymous quality of these deceptively simple works provides a window into shared human experiences. The stories and symbols of organized religions and societies also strongly influence her work; the rituals and literature of Freemasonry and Christianity and their codified expressions of collective ideals and mythologies fascinate her especially.
Through the installations and objects that she creates, Goodchild engages the viewer in stories that are at once mysterious and hauntingly familiar.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
Solo
The Below is like the Above
QueenSpecific (Toronto, ON), Fall 2008
The Path of Anna Ward Brouse
Gallery Stratford (Stratford, ON), March–May 2008
The Revelations of Anna Ward Brouse
Katharine Mulherin Contemporary Art Project (Toronto, ON), December 2007
From Some Wilderness Place
Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba (Brandon, MB), March 2007
Katharine Mulherin Contemporary Art Projects (Toronto, ON), May 2007
FATAL (Fairest Among Thousands Altogether Lovely)
Six Shooter Gallery (Toronto, ON), September 2006
The Room Tells the Story
Sis boom bah Gallery (Toronto, ON), May 2004
The Mammal Show
Sis boom bah Gallery (Toronto, ON), June 2003
9 Tragedies
Sis boom bah Gallery (Toronto, ON), June 2003 (remounted)
Art System (Toronto, ON), February 2002
Group
Solid Gold
Magic Pony Gallery (Toronto, ON), December 2008
Road Works
Adam Baumgold Gallery (New York, NY), Summer 2008
Craft Up
YYZ Artist’s Outlet (Toronto, ON), December 2007
Desire
Harbourfront Centre (Toronto, ON), Spring 2007
Parlour Room
Katharine Mulherin Sideshow (Toronto, ON), October 2006
Hello Dolly
Spin Gallery (Toronto, ON), July 2006
Beautify
Harbourfront Centre (Toronto, ON), Spring 2006
Hollow
With Benny Nemerofsky Ramsay
1080 Bus Gallery (Toronto, ON), December 2005
Tell: An Exploration of Narrative Craft
Harbourfront Centre (Toronto, ON), Fall 2005
Best Of: An Exhibition of Award Winners from the 2004 Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition
First Canadian Place Gallery (Toronto, ON), February 2005
Leave it to Drever
Douglas Udell Gallery (Edmonton, ON), February 2005
Three Night Stand
The Gladstone Hotel (Toronto, ON), December 2004
The Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition
Nathan Phillips Square (Toronto, ON), July 2004, 2005
The Electric Eye Show
sis boom bah Gallery (Toronto, ON), May 2004
The Borden Street Show
Luft Gallery (Toronto, ON), Jan 2004
PRESS
Leah Sandals, “Goodchild’s gifts,” NOW Magazine, Dec 13, 2007
Fran Schechter, “Crafts get heavy,” NOW Magazine, Dec 2007
Lorne Roberts, “Worth the trip to Brandon gallery for twisted folk art,” Winnipeg Free Press, March 29, 2007
David Jager, “Goodchild goes back,” NOW Magazine, October 19, 2006
Peter Goddard, “Dollies who are sick, sick, sick,” The Toronto Star, August 5, 2006
Kevin Temple, “Winning Works: Best of TOAE show hits Bay street,” NOW Magazine, February 3, 2005
Peter Goddard, “Home is where the art is on Borden St.” The Toronto Star, January 24, 2005
David Balzar, “The Borden Street Show,” eye Weekly, January 22, 2004
Sarah Liss, “Dead Good,” NOW Magazine, April 25, 2002
David Balzer, “Murder, She Wrought,” eye Weekly, June 12, 2003
AWARDS AND GRANTS
Ontario Arts Council Craft Grant, 2008
Toronto Arts Council Visual Arts Grant, 2008
Ontario Arts Council Grant for Fine Craft, 2007
Ontario Arts Council Exhibition Assistance Grant, 2005
Best in Fiber award at the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, 2004
Ontario Arts Council Grant for Fine Crafts, 2004
EDUCATION
Ryerson Polytechnic University
B.A.A. Fashion Design, 2000