Artist
CurrentHolding degrees in Biology, Psychology and Art History, I conduct arts-based research projects at the intersection of environmental science, animal advocacy, and ecocritical art history. Embodying notions of systems change, transformation, and healing, my projects have addressed themes of industrialized animal agriculture, the urban water system, consumption and waste, climate change, and diversity loss. Formerly a painter, I work primarily in printmaking, photography, video, and text.These days I split my time between the Ottawa River and urban agriculture. In one project I focus on the extirpation of the American eel, once the most abundant fish in the Ottawa River. In my other project I engage in a multi-dimensional exploration of regenerative organic agriculture using strategies of experimentation, restoration, visualization, and community engagement. Not much into social media I post my work on my two websites: bethshepherd.ca contains posts on art and the environment, including my work on eels; artthatmakesadifference.ca is more about food and agriculture, including my earlier work on industrialized animal agriculture and my current work on regenerative organic agriculture and the environment.
