SYLVIA RACK CV
438 521 9636 sylvia.rack@gmail.com Montreal, QC sylviarack.com
PROFILE
Artist, community organizer and interdisciplinary artist-researcher whose practice works at the intersection of ecological symbiotic relationships, capitalist accumulation, care, and memory loss.
RESEARCH SUMMARY
Ecology (soil regeneration, carrying capacity of pants, symbiotic relationships between soil, fungi, plant and insect), Feminist Studies (focus on feminism and the politics of the commons, unpaid domestic work and women led land defence), Traditional Land Practices (Hedge Laying, Permaculture, Herbalism, No-till Farming, Organic Pigments).
EDUCATION
Concordia University, Montreal QC, Masters of Arts, Painting an Drawing 2023 – 2027
New York Botanical Gardens, Online, A History of Botanical Art, professor Dr Giovanni Aloi 2025
Blackmore Farms. Sommerset, England, Hedge-Laying Workshop with Paul Lamb author Of Thorn and Briar, 2024
Angel Academy of Art, Florence, Italy, Graduate Certificate, Painting and Drawing 2015-2019
Sheridan College, Oakville, Ontario, Graduate Certificate, Digital Character Animation 2008-2009
Concordia University, Montreal QC, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Film Animation 2003-2007
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Workshop Facilitator: Materialize: A Series of Multi-Disciplinary Fine Arts Workshops 2025, Concordia University, MTL, QC
– Designed and delivered workshop on Pigment Explorations; The Sustainability of Pigments into Paint; Origin, Production, Toxicity and Method of Disposal
Internship; Rewilding Arts Collective 2025, The David Suzuki Foundation, MTL. QC
-Social Outreach developing the community of artists who applied for the Rewilding Arts Prize, including social media campaigns and in-person events.
-Organized panel discussion and CICA talk featuring the 2023 Rewilding Arts Prize winners, curator of exhibition at Museum of Nature, and Biologists specializing in plant insect relationships and interdisciplinary research.
Teaching Assistant, PTNG 200/300: Visual Arts Program 2024-26, Concordia University
Workshop Facilitator: Soil Chromatography
2024, Concordia University, MTL, QC
– Soil chromatography is a photographic process that indicates the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of the earth. Utilised by farmers, the hues, patterns, and textures provide an overview of each soil’s vitality and health.
-Created soil chromatograms from samples taken at VA garden in Concordia Campus with adolescents from Innovation Jeunes, examining the relative soil health of different garden beds and spaces.
Workshop Facilitator: Eco Workshop
2024, Concordia University, VA garden, MTL, QC
-Examined biodiversity within the VA garden and mapped over 30 plant species
-introduced how to use the garden map created to forage and identify local plants
-led participants through botanical drawing exercise
Workshop Instructor: Discovering Secret Worlds: Painting Native Butterfly Species
2023, Studio Georgeville, Georgeville, QC
-2 day workshop introducing students to mutualistic relationship between native plant and insect species, identification and multi-layered oil painting technique.
Professor: Cinematics, Project Development and Design Culture 2016-2017, George Brown College, Toronto, ON
-taught students to storyboard, create Animatics and world build for In-game Cinematics
-reviewed portfolios and helped students with technical issues with developing their projects
-lectured on the history of art and design, and its influence on game art and mood
Lead Character Animation 2011-2015, Compulsion Games, MTL. QC
-developed animation and character designs for We Happy Few
Character Animation 2009-2011, Bedlam Games, Toronto, ON
-animated all in game third person player animation for CONTRAST
-animated most of cinematic animation for CONTRAST
-worked with character modelers and concept artist in designs, building rigs, and integration into game engine
EXHIBITIONS
2025 MAUREEN X, Founderie Darling, Montreal
2024 MAUREEN IX, Studio Belleville, Montreal
2023 Celebration of 15 Years -Studio Georgeville; Artist Coop, Georgeville, Quebec.
2023 A Night in an Enchanted Forest -Fundraiser for Old Growth – Lethal Studios, Montreal, Quebec.
2021 Beasties and Marvels -Le Vieux Forgeron Gallery, Stanstead, Quebec.
AWARDS/GRANTS
2024 Elspeth McConnell Fine Arts Internship Award – Concordia University
2024 Experiential Learning Grant- Concordia University
2024 Lillian Vineberg Graduate Award – Concordia University
2023 Tom Hopkins Memorial Graduate Award – Concordia University
2021 Microgrant – Our Kids Climate
2006 Power Corporation Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement in Animation – Concordia University
2005 Zlato Grgic Award for Promise and Potential in 1st Year Animation- Concordia University