When considering the Vancouver art scene – a community rich with talent, creative minds and thriving careers – a name that often comes up in conversation is Zoe Pawlak.
Zoe has not only been one of the longtime forerunners of our city’s fine arts scene, but also a pioneer of her industry, leading the way into fresh mediums and bringing with her a new level of artistic collaboration for Vancouver. After establishing her career on the West Coast, Pawlak has followed her family, her art and her heart out east and is currently residing and creating in Montreal.
Initially embraced by art lovers for her stunning canvas and paper works, Zoe has joined forces with the likes of Jeff Martin for a furniture line and Burritt Bros. for an exclusive rug collection; now, as she furthers her reach into beautifying interiors, Zoe has recently launched a capsule collection of painted mirrors.
I caught up with Zoe and had the chance to discover a little more about what inspires her to take creative risks. Her full collection of mirrors can be explored online here.
We are familiar with the ‘public Zoe.’ Tell us five things people don’t know about you:
1. Some people still don't know that I have kids. I have two kids!
2. I think people perceive me as being utterly fearless, when, in fact, I spend quite a bit of time deliberating over what to do and where to go next.
3. I quit drinking nine months ago.
4. I love to pray, write and sing; all fairly introverted activities for an extrovert.
5. I am presently learning how to coach basketball.
We’ve seen your art transition through so many aspects of the creative world. What inspires you to test your boundaries?
Having spent the last decade in clients’ homes and working with interior designers, I see a lot of beautiful spaces. I've also been to many design shows. When I see something missing in the market, I want to make it. I couldn't find any mirror that applied fine-art imagery on a surface in a palate that I loved and was still functional. There is a thread that runs through all the work I am making. My aim is to have a cohesive career and I want this to be felt in this collection as well.
What, if anything was the biggest challenge you encountered working with a reflective surface, versus your previous surface materials.
Photographing them!
What differences do you note as an artist when delving into new media compared to more traditional formats like paint?
The mediums are all new to me. When I paint, I have full autonomy. The process of making the mirrors was collaborative in that it required that I trust many craftspeople along the way to do their part of manufacturing.
