About Gwen Compain

Welcome to the world of Gwen Compain

A place where art, poetry, and healing converge to create a unique and transformative experience. Based in Ottawa, Ontario, Gwen is a multi-talented artist, painter, and poet who draws inspiration from various sources to create meaningful and impactful pieces.

Artist Biography

Gwen Compain is an artist, painter and poet living in Ottawa. She was born in the late 80’s and grew up in a small francophone town in Ontario.

She spent most of her time writing poetry, songs and drawing in her sketch books. In high school her Art Teacher encouraged her art practice and helped her create an art portfolio for her Bachelor of Fine Arts. During her program at the University of Ottawa, she explored and developed her artistic talent by exploring film, performance art, interactive art, photography, painting, sculpture and multimedia art. She was part of the end of program Art show Exhibit “Index” (2010) where she helped curate the exhibition. In June 2010 she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Minor in Film Studies.

During the 13 years hiatus from her art practice, Gwen worked in various contracts in the administrative field. In 2019 she completed a Master of Information Studies and worked as an Analyst for the government; she worked with data and created data visualizations in the form of pamphlets, posters and infographics.

The COVID Pandemic propelled Gwen into an introspective state that allowed her to acknowledge her mental health struggles, and obtain support as she began her healing journey. Gwen is currently exploring a career as an artist and is a member of the Ottawa Art Network.

Through her healing journey, she reconnected with her art, and emerged anew, inspired by art by Gustave Klimt, Frida Kahlo, Chagall, Picasso, Emily Carr and Edvard Munch.  She is also inspired by Art Nouveau, Symbolism, Surrealism, Expressionism, and Contemporary art. Her main medium is acrylic paint, with a mixture of pastel and gel pens. She also works with fabric and creates hanging quilts that delve into the complex layers of healing.

Her work is themed around mental health and comes from her intimate experiences with PTSD, anxiety and childhood trauma. She describes her art as part of her healing process and ranges from abstract figures to art nouveau self-portraits that embody healing states of fight, flight, freeze, and fawning. Gwen’s hope is to become an advocate for mental health while launching her career as a painter and an artist.

Artist Statement

I create my work with paint brushes, doting sticks, acrylic paint, charcoal, pastel, and gel pens. I begin by sketching an embodied state of being (Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn) that matures into a healing process inspired by Art Therapy.

My inner reconciliation with my trauma and my art practice are deeply intertwined. I paint from a place of love and connection, while also acknowledging the spaces of fear and protection that emerge as I learn to find my voice. My work weaves between Art Nouveau, Symbolism, Surrealism, Expressionism and Contemporary art. I am currently sketching and planning new work that will be exhibited at the Art House Café in October 2024.  My life long ambition is to be a spokesperson for mental health through my art and healing journey.

My art is inspired by textures, fabrics, patterns, floral or nature elements. My collection “Finding my Voice” are self portraits that depict various states of healing, using symbols to tell stories about this self-exploratory healing journey. I use symbols from various cultures and plan to exhibit a legend of the symbols including their origin and how I have adapted them in my art or was inspired by them. I feel it is important to provide context to highlight the cultural, religious or spiritual meaning of symbols.

To acknowledge is the first step to heal, to see and hear is the second, and to respond from a place of love and connection is the third. Self-Compassion is a skill we can all use to explore ourselves or others. My self-portraits are made from a place of self-compassion, these portraits acknowledge, see, hear and are in different places and spaces of healing. As an advocate for mental health, I hope others can learn or find self-compassion to create a more understanding, diverse, inclusive and kinder world.

Inspired Art Movements

Gwen draws inspiration from various art movements, infusing her work with elements from symbolism, surrealism, expressionism, and contemporary art. Each piece tells a story and carries a message, inviting viewers to interpret and engage with the art in their own way.

What is Art Nouveau?

Art Nouveau is about embracing natural forms and modernizing design. Here are some key themes and characteristics:

  • Nature: The primary inspiration for Art Nouveau comes from nature. This includes flowing lines and organic shapes resembling plants, flowers, and other natural elements.
  • Curvy Shapes: The style is known for its sinuous, flowing lines and curves, often referred to as “whiplash” curves.
  • Modern Materials: Art Nouveau often incorporates modern materials like glass, iron, and ceramics, blending traditional craftsmanship with industrial techniques.
  • Decorative Style: It emphasizes decorative arts, including furniture, jewelry, textiles, and graphic design.
  • Influences: The movement was influenced by various sources, including Japanese art (Japonisme), the Arts and Crafts movement, and the Aesthetic movement.

Art Nouveau is a decorative art, architecture, and design style that was prominent in Western Europe and the United States from about 1890 until World War I. It’s characterized by intricate linear designs and flowing curves inspired by natural forms, such as plants and flowers. This style is known for its use of long, sinuous, organic lines and often incorporates modern materials like glass and iron. Art Nouveau can be seen in various media, including architecture, interior design, jewelry, and graphic arts.

What is Symbolism?

The Symbolist art movement emerged in the late 19th century, primarily in France and Belgium, as a reaction against naturalism and realism. They emphasize on emotions and ideas, focusing on expressing rather than depicting the external world realistically. They use symbolic imagery to represent absolute truths and deeper meanings, often drawing on themes of mysticism, dreams and the occult.  They explore the inner world of the artist and the ineffable aspects of human experience.

The movement was closely linked to Symbolist literature, namely works by Charles Baudelaire and Paul Verlaine who played significant roles. It is seen as the precursor to modernist movements, influencing later developments in art and literature. 

What is Surrealism?

The surrealist art movement emerged in Europe in the aftermath of World War I, around the 1920s, as a reaction against the rationalism and materialism that many believed had led to the war. They explored the unconscious mind and aimed to tap into the unconscious mind to unlock creativity and imagination. They depict dreamlike scenes and illogical, fantastical imagery.

The movement was heavily influenced by the theories of Sigmund Freud, in particular about dreams and the unconscious. Surrealist artists employed techniques such as automatic writing, exquisite corpse, and frottage to bypass rational thought and access deeper layers of the psyche.

Key figures include Salvador Dali, Rene Magritte, Max Ernst and Andre Breton who was a leading figure and wrote the Surrealist Manifesto. The movement inspired the poet Paul Eluard and many other artists

What is Contemporary Art?

Refers to the art of today, created by artists who are living and working in the present time. Some of the aspects of contemporary is characterized by its diversity in materials, methods, and concepts. It includes a wide range of mediums such as painting, sculpture, photography, installation, performance and digital art. Artists draw inspiration from a globally influenced, culturally diverse, and technologically advanced world.

This art form continues to push the boundaries of traditional art, often addressing contemporary issues such as identity, politics, and social justice. Unlike previous art movements, contemporary art does not adhere to a single style or ideology. It is marked by a lack of a uniform organizing principle, making it highly varied and innovative.

What is Expressionist Art?

Expressionist art is an artistic style that emerged in the early 20th century, primarily in Germany. It focuses on presenting the world from a subjective perspective, often distorting it to evoke emotional responses.

This style is characterized by distortion and exaggeration, for example, Artists often use bold colors, distorted forms, and exaggerated lines to convey intense emotions. Rather than depicting the world as it is, Expressionist art aims to express the inner feelings and experiences of the artist. Expressionist art focuses on the emotional impact, the goal is to evoke strong emotional reactions from the viewer, often through unsettling or dramatic imagery. Notable Expressionist artists include Edvard Munch, known for “The Scream,” and Wassily Kandinsky, who is famous for his abstract works.

Experience the Artistic World of Gwen Compain

Explore Gwen's unique creations and immerse yourself in a world of beauty, emotion, and healing.