about syd…

Sydney Rusnak, is an artist born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. Rusnak completed her Bachelor of Fine Art degree at the University of Alberta in 2021 specializing in painting. Her work is held in both private and public collections while also being displayed publicly. She utilizes painting, printmaking, multimedia as well as found material to address topics of climate change. Sydney feels drawn to working with climate change as she spends a majority of her time enjoying and exploring the outdoors. She feels humans need to stop and think about their interactions with the earth so others like herself can continue to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. Sydney pulls inspiration from places she has explored numerous times and that have aided in her own personal growth.

“in my work I mainly pull inspiration from natural landscape found within the Kootenay Valley to the Purcell Mountains. Near Radium, lies a beautiful juxtaposition of destruction, regrowth, as well as, the untouched. Although the devastating effect of forest fires and pine beetles are difficult to ignore in certain areas, the budding greenery displays an iconography of new life and potential. I had visited this area numerous times throughout my childhood driving to our family home and feel a deep personal connection to this landscape. Through my work I aimed to create awareness of the impact of natural disasters, as well as human impact and pay tribute to this natural environment that has aided in my own personal growth. 

within this ecosystem is an eternal cycle of health, destruction and regrowth. Each year the area endures devastating destruction through forest fires, although the severity of damage varies, the fire is a painful inevitability. This areas has also been impacted  by human greed to develop every last square inch compromising these breathtaking areas. Within my work, I ask my viewers to empathize with this vulnerable natural landscape  by highlighting the beauty in these isolated areas that have once been jeopardized while also depicting parts of the journey . As I continue this body of work I intend to focus on the repercussions of apathy and inaction to provoke the question “what will be left”? I guide you through a journey through memories and documentation, arriving in each space to capture my feelings toward each area which may have succeeded for the time being to be protected from human impact for now.”

—sydney rusnak 2021