Image: © Tess Martens, Ashes to Ashes, Pi*llOry part four, 2020. Photo by Tina Bararian.

Canada

Martens completed her Masters of Fine Art at the University of Waterloo in 2018. She is also part of the programming committee for CAFKA (Contemporary Art Forum of Kitchener & Area) and has interviewed artists for arts and culture blog, www.culturefancier.com. She has participated in performance art residencies and performed internationally. In her art practice, personal experiences are re-contextualized through performances. These performances draw from memories that are simultaneously nostalgic, shameful and based in fear. There is an attempt to fight off shame and guilt associated with exposing oneself in her performances. Humour is often used to invite and engage the viewer.