Nathalie Grice has always found solace and inspiration in the lives of animals. In the time leading up to the creation of OMENS, Grice reflected on the numerous interactions she has had with birds in particular, often concentrated around periods of grief or great change. She sees birds as messengers, linking them with a wide range of myth and symbology signalling them as intimations of the gods. In this inaugural display, we are hosting the artist’s goldfinch and pigeon sculptures. These are amongst the bird species she feels a particular affinity with. A group of goldfinch is called a “charm”, and symbolize both joy and money. This juxtaposes with the pigeons which Grice sees as “seriously overlooked” in the present day, regardless of their past symbolic significance. Grice loves them for their urban feel and that you can find them around the globe. She draws comparisons between our turned gaze towards pigeons and a similar disregard for our own homeless populations.

In the future, Nathalie Grice seeks to grow her ornithological sculpture collection with the addition of flamingos and other birds. During her pregnancy with her son, Grice spent time in France where she saw flamingos regularly. She felt completely drawn in by their beauty. She feels that she has always been driven by things unique and strange, and these pink creatures are no exception.

We hope you enjoy the installation. All the work is available for collecting individually, or as a larger installation.

Twiss & Weber and The Happening Ottawa 2017 presents a detail of Hintonburg artist Nathalie Grice‘s show “La Forêt des Folies”. Life-size creations of native animals, embellished with urban details, illustrate the artist’s view on the built environment: how humans encroach on animals’ natural environment, how they adapt, and in turn, how humans are adapting to living in cities.

Art runs in the family. Nathalie's mother France Grice is an accomplished glass artist.

An article of an exhibition, "Of Reverie", the works of teens which Nathalie mentored through the Compass Centre for Self-Directed Learning.

The Forêts des Folies is at once a show of nature’s resilience, and also a call to think about the effects of our human presence on the planet. All props to Nathalie for creating this weird, charming dystopia and presenting some uncomfortable truths with a side of child-like wonder.

Retr-O Graff, at Loretta Studios and Gallery, hints at the city's love/hate affair with urban art. An exhibition Nathalie curated which feature the work of her brother Eric Grice.

Nathalie Grice’s exhibition is entitled La Forêt des Folies, or Forest Follies, and it is a meditation via installation on “the true strength nature has over us.”