My artwork is made up of installations and printed matter that are concerned with the way language influences attitudes and action. Most recently I have been looking at the ephemeral graphic statements made by posters promoting music, art and political events in my neighbourhood in the North End of Halifax—markers of this lively community (The North End, 2006, 2007). I feel that informed hopefulness is crucial at this time of widespread disinterest in matters of major consequence.
Beginning in the 1990s I looked at ways that emotions are mediated in consumer culture finding these patterns of representation in self-help books (How..., 2001; and Where Does it Hurt?, 1996), SUV advertising (Testdrive, 2002; SUV Series, 2002; Totalled, 2004) and public apologies (Sorry, 2005). I continued developing this critical view in composing a list of management language (24/7, 2005; Blowback, 2006). I’m now planning work that is concerned with the proliferation of corporate branding as it permeates the language and thinking of organizations and institutions, specifically universities (Branded, 2008).
I think it’s important to keep a big-world perspective, while working on issues that have local resonance. I try to work with a sense of humour and a light hand, reframing what is already there so that it can be understood differently. Discourse and textual analysis as well as feminist perspectives related to social justice inform my perspective. Mine is a social practice in its making and its experience—a stimulant, a conversation. It is necessarily in a constant process of evaluation as I work to be incisive and concise.
Cathy Busby has a PhD in Communication (Concordia University, Montreal, 1999) and was a Fulbright Scholar at New York University (1995-96). She has an MA in Media Studies (Concordia University, 1992) and a BFA (1984) from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Halifax. Her work is represented in the collection of the City of Ottawa, The Nova Scotia Art Bank, The Canada Council Art Bank and the National Gallery of Canada.