Self Portrait

About Self Portrait

This charming photograph of the artist’s foyer feels both familiar and intimate. That is artist Shani Mootoo’s signature style. Her engaging and enigmatic work allows the viewer to imagine the story behind the image. Mootoo’s foyer is rich in colour, texture and pattern--a wood front door, a crème-coloured linen slip covered couch, blue and white patterned throw pillows, a collection of leather boots and shoes are scattered on a mat, gold-framed artwork hangs on the wall, a bright orange shopping bag dangles from the doorknob. This is a portrait of a busy life.

This giclee print is editioned, 1/8. The work is matted, framed. Framed size is 25 x 33 inches and is available in two additional sizes, 21 x 31.5 inches (30.5 x 40 inches framed, edition of 5, $3,400); 12 x 18 inches (21 x 27 inches framed, $2,000.)

“The manner in which I take a photo is very much assuring me that what I saw was there—particularly in this day and age when truth and reality seem to be contentious and subjective.” Shani Mootoo

An accomplished writer, filmmaker, painter and photographer Shani Mootoo earned a BFA from the University of Western Ontario, and an MA in English from the University of Guelph. Her novels have been longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and shortlisted for the Giller Prize. Mootoo's paintings have been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions locally and internationally, most notably at the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Queen’s Museum in NYC, the Contemporary Arts Museum in Houston, and at the Venice Biennale. Shani Mootoo was born in Ireland and raised in Trinidad. She lives in Prince Edward County, Ontario.