Charmaine Lurch is a Toronto-based painter, sculptor, installation artist and arts educator known for her interdisciplinary work and exploration of themes including Black studies and environmental issues.
Charmaine Lurch | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Alma mater | York University, Sheridan College, OCAD University |
Lurch was born in Jamaica and came to Canada at the age of six.[1] She holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies from York University and diplomas in design and illustration from Sheridan College, both in Ontario.[2] In addition, she studied at the Ontario College of Art and Design University in Toronto, and the School of Visual Arts in New York City [3]
Lurch's work often incorporates themes of world histories, Black history, diversity, equity and environmental issues.[4] She is active as an art educator in Toronto.[1] As a lead artist with the non-profit group Inner City Angels, Lurch leads interdisciplinary public art projects involving children.[5][6] Her sculpture Bees is installed in the Regent Park social housing development in Toronto.[7] She cites artists including Lynette Yiadom Boakye, Jasmine Thomas-Grivan, Denyse Thomasos, and Theaster Gates as inspirations.[8] Lurch has been critical of the way the traditional power structures of the art world systematically exclude artists of colour.[9]
Lurch's work has been exhibited at a number of venues including the Royal Ontario Museum, Nuit Blanche, the University of British Columbia, and the National Gallery of Jamaica.[3] Her work A Mobile and Visible Carriage was prominently featured in the group show Every.Now.Then at the Art Gallery of Ontario in 2017.[10][11]