Artist Statement
Both the material and conceptual groundwork of my current art practice is rooted in the labour I engage in as a lobster fisherman. The physicality of the work forces me to focus on my embodiment and the repetitive nature of the labour becomes grounds for meditation and reflection. I use a lot of repurposed fishing materials like old rope and trap lumber, and skills that are industry specific like splicing rope and rigging lobster traps to create sculptures and installations.
Biography
JoAnna Howlett currently resides in Souris, PEI where they make work out of their home studio. Their educational background includes a BA in Philosophy from the University of Prince Edward Island, a diploma in Cabinetmaking and Wood Manufacturing from Holland College, and a certificate in Studio Art from NSCAD University. JoAnna is passionate about the Island arts community and has worked with PEI organizations such as Art in the Open and this town is small. She currently works for CreativePEI as the Project Coordinator for the Creative Well-Being Initiative - a project that aims to improve the well-being of Island artists and creative sector workers. During the Spring she fishes lobster out of Naufrage, and in the Summer she co-organizes Spud Fest, a music festival in Souris, PEI.
