"Symbols of strength and fortitude, the northern plants of Annedda remind us of the soothing, restorative and healing powers of nature. Annedda, meaning “tree of life” in the lost language of the Stadacona nation, takes us to a moment in history when mutual support and empathy led to an alliance between peoples."
Annedda
Plants of the boreal region are explored through a holistic approach and concept of place in this set of black and white photo compositions. Annedda makes direct reference to the plants and trees traditionally employed in the treatment of respiratory afflictions, showing continuity between past scientific developments and modern technological advances. Each of these plants, indigenous to Québec – Ulmus rubra (slippery elm), Thuja occidentalis (white cedar), Borago officinalis (borage), Pinus strobus (white pine), and Cetraria islandica (Iceland moss) – was chosen specifically for its therapeutic effects on the respiratory system. As a work of inherent meditative qualities, Annedda speaks to the poetic and introspective approach of the artist, who explores the delicate structure of human relationships and reveals the invisible, yet unbreakable bonds that bind us to our world.
Materials: Five murals consisting of black and white photographs on 415 (20 x 30 cm) ceramic tiles.
Location: Thoracic department
Get to know the artist
Josée Pedneault lives and works in Montréal. She completed her Masters in Fine Arts at Concordia University in 2005. Her visual strategies begin with photos, videos, objects, drawings and found images, often leading to ideas that take the theme of the existential quest. Travel and wandering are central to her artistic exploration and her reflections on the human experience: our hopes and the disillusionment they bring, our utopias, our failures and our broken dreams. Her work has been exhibited in several countries, notably Canada, France, Poland, China, Cambodia and Luxembourg.
