“Even in my most devastating times in life, art in some form or another has always been readily available to help me figure out who I am.”  

Vivianne LaRivière has been an artist for as long as she can remember. Her earliest memories date back all the way to the crib, where it is told that she would chase the dabbles of light streaming through the rungs. Her approach is multi-disciplined as she is a painter, a songwriter-composer, a photographer and writer. She relies almost solely on the intuitive power of improvisation, for both sound and image.

These notions appear in Vivianne’s approach to painting. Her gallery walls are awash with “wild, mad, bold art…” Her spectrum of motion varies with what she sometimes describes as the range of ‘characters’ she paints as ‘mood personified.’ Where at times, abstract and expressionism and/or post-impressionism meet, some have noted. Other meanderings are just that; bright, conceptual landscapes, whimsical folly and messy adventures with paint, and more paint. And stories, and more stories. The journey always begins with intuitive, improvisational movement, in company with deep listening.

GENDER SERIES ~ AM I QUEER?  is about story as well. A particular story, inviting the viewer into a conversation, to inquire. To invoke thought and curiosity. To take the time to reflect, to be in the question, the colour, the lines, the poetry, the titles, the dialogue – the narrative.

Why would you consider someone queer? Do we not all live along a continuum of vast ideas, expression of ourselves crafted out of our experiences?

Visit her website HERE.

30% of net sales will be donated to Pictou County Pride and Creative Pictou County. To purchase, please email vivrivergalleryonwaterstreet@gmail.com

This exhibition is on until July 18, 2026. Join us for the opening reception on May 28 from 5pm-7pm.