Vivian Rashotte b. 1991
Lives and works in Toronto, Ontario

Vivian Rashotte is a self-taught Canadian artist who primarily works in oil on canvas with a focus on still life and portraiture. Her paintings have been exhibited locally and internationally since 2019. In addition to her visual art practice, Vivian is also a producer for CBC's Q with Tom Power — a podcast and radio show that features long-form interviews with some of the world's most prominent artists and entertainers. 

Statement

My paintings typically depict contemporary slice of life scenes that take inspiration from pop culture and social media. Whether it's a portrait or a still life, small touches like a MacBook or a candle from Urban Outfitters lend a sense of familiarity to each scene, particularly for Millennials.

We’re increasingly plagued by physical and digital clutter of our own making: fast fashion, trendy but frivolous objects, technology that rapidly becomes obsolete and an excessive number of photos on our phones. I see my work as being a personal reflection on the mundane or ordinary joys of early 21st century life, but it also underscores our compulsive obsession with creation, consumption and self-documentation.

Most of my paintings feature screens — such as phones, computers and projections — simply because this is the mode by which we connect with the world these days. But the presence of technology in my work also allows me to pay homage to my own creative influences from music to film and more. In this way I can paint a scene from a popular TV series or make reference to a recognizable piece of art.