Judy Chartrand is a contemporary artist of Manitoba Cree heritage currently based in Vancouver. Chartrand grew up in the notoriously disadvantaged urban corridor of Vancouver’s Downtown East Side. From a young age, Chartrand held an interest in ceramics and painting. Her work contains rich elements of ready-made appropriations and repurposed materials.

Chartrand’s practice is characterized by a keen interest in social circuits of value, in both art and consumer society. Using the humour of appropriation with a cutting cynicism, Chartrand’s work exposes urgent issues around racism, ignorance and privilege. The topics are hard hitting, but they are often approached with irony and humour. Often dealing with pre-existing formulas in the way of found-objects and art historical references, Chartrand complicates the reading of these materials by adding her own layers. At first glance, Chartrand’s lustrous ceramics are extremely pleasing to the eye. However on closer examination, the beauty is often contrasted with references to urban blight – cockroaches, addiction, poverty, abuse, stereotypes and racism – inspiring both attraction and repulsion. Every piece has a story and is meant to inspire dialogue. 

Judy Chartrand

Judy Chartrand is a contemporary artist of Manitoba Cree heritage currently based in Vancouver. Chartrand grew up in the notoriously disadvantaged urban corridor of Vancouver’s Downtown East Side. From a young age, Chartrand held an interest in ceramics and painting. Her work contains rich elements of ready-made appropriations and repurposed materials.

Chartrand’s practice is characterized by a keen interest in social circuits of value, in both art and consumer society. Using the humour of appropriation with a cutting cynicism, Chartrand’s work exposes urgent issues around racism, ignorance and privilege. The topics are hard hitting, but they are often approached with irony and humour. Often dealing with pre-existing formulas in the way of found-objects and art historical references, Chartrand complicates the reading of these materials by adding her own layers. At first glance, Chartrand’s lustrous ceramics are extremely pleasing to the eye. However on closer examination, the beauty is often contrasted with references to urban blight - cockroaches, addiction, poverty, abuse, stereotypes and racism - inspiring both attraction and repulsion. Every piece has a story and is meant to inspire dialogue.

White Fantasies,

2017,

10.25" x 12.5" x 6 ″,

Low fire clay, underglaze, glaze, assorted printed photo paper and wooden nickel, wood box with led light, transformer and dimmer

DTES Influencer Selfie,

2023,

12.5" x 10.5" x 6.25",

Low fire clay, underglaze, glaze, cloth banner, printed photo, metal rod, epoxy putty, plywood box, plexiglass, acrylic paint, led light, transformer, dimmer, mini sound recorder

Redbone Burt,

2023,

10.5" x 12.5" x 6.25 ″,

Low fire clay, underglaze, glaze, vintage mink fur scrap, mini braid sweet grass, plywood box, acrylic paint, plexiglass metal rod and epoxy putty. Led light, transformer, dimmer and mini sound recorder

MY GREAT, GREAT, GREAT, GRANDMOTHER WAS… Judy Chartrand,

7" x 7",

beads, hide, feathers, plastic on painted canvas

KITCHI NITOTÓSIM (Great Nipple),

18" x 24",

plastic pony beads, wide nylon mesh on framed canvas

Judy Chartrand

Fuck!,

2016,

9 x 9 x 3.5 inches,

Ceramic Bowl

Judy Chartrand

Fuck!,

2016,

9 x 9 x 3.5 inches,

Ceramic bowl

Judy Chartrand

I Already Called The Cops Sevens,

2016,

12 x 5.5 x 8.5 inches,

Ceramic

Judy Chartrand

White Only,

2006,

7 x 7 x 3 inches,

Ceramic cup & resin

Judy Chartrand Métis Soup (detail) Tongue. Ceramic can, 2011-15

Métis Soup (detail), Indian Agent.,

201--15,

4.5 x 3 x 3 inches,

Ceramic can

Judy Chartrand, Métis Soup (detail), Indian Agent and Tongue

Métis Soup (detail), Indian Agent and Tongue,

2011-15,

4.5 x 3 x 3 inches each,

Ceramic cans

Métis Soup (set: Indian Agent Tongue, Leek, Pumpkin,Beef, Chicken),

2011-15,

4.5 x 3 x 3 inches each,

six ceramic cans

In Memory of Those No Longer With Us, 2016,

4 3/4 x 13",

Ceramic bowl,

Rennie Collection, Vancouver

What a Wonderful World: Go Back to Your Own Country, 2015 ,

4 3/4 x 13",

Ceramic bowl,

Rennie Collection, Vancouver

If This is What You Call "Being Civilized" I'd Rather Go Back to Being a "Savage": Astoria Hotel, 2003,

4 1/2 x 13",

Ceramic bowl,

Rennie Collection, Vancouver

Counteract, 2006,

Dimensions vary,

Mixed media,

Rennie Collection, Vancouver

Counteract, 2006,

Dimensions vary,

Mixed media,

Rennie Collection, Vancouver (Detail)

Lard Pail,

2001,

7 x 6" each ,

Ceramic

Rennie Collection, Vancouver

Spray Can - Native Spirituality,

1999,

8.5 x 3 x 3",

Ceramic

Rennie Collection, Vancouver

Porridge Boxes - Indian Residential School Brand,

2005,

23.75 x 19.25 x 3.75",

Ceramic, wood

Vancouver

Metis Soup Cans,

2000,

37 x 22",

Ceramic

Rennie Collection, Vancouver

Mimbres Culture bowl,

2002,

8.25 x 8.25 x 2",

Ceramic

Rennie Collection, Vancouver