About ashleybeerdat

Ashley Beerdat is an emerging visual artist and arts educator of Guyanese descent who grew up in Mississauga Ontario. She graduated in 2019 from Western University, completing a BA in Criminology and Visual Arts and Art History. Using oil paint as her artistic medium, she explores themes of mythology, folklore and storytelling to navigate the world around her. Storytelling is intrinsic to her Guyanese culture. She grew up listening to stories from elders sharing lessons and passed down knowledge. Through her work, she explores traditional folktales in a contemporary, playful and whimsical way. She spontaneously lets stories unfold in her painting process. As a shy and introverted child, Ashley's interest in these folktales stems from her childhood; she feels free to express herself through the creation of her own fantasy worlds. In 2020, she completed an artist residency at Visual Arts Mississauga Riverwood. Her work is held in Mississauga’s permanent corporate art collection and has been featured at Peel Gallery and Museum Archives (PAMA), Artscape and the Small Arms Inspection Building. Ashley has an upcoming solo exhibition with North York Arts in the fall of 2021.