In Process;

A personal response to ‘Our Salish Sea’. This work serves as a container of memories and an emotional translation, acting as a bridge between the academic and the personal. It invites the viewer to engage with the work on multiple levels.

Three-dimensional collage by Nadina Tandy is a subtle homage to the lab work of her father, who worked for BC Fisheries in the 1960s and 1970s. Titration glassware, scales and a hotplate are arranged as a still life sculpture beneath Tandy’s graphic harmonies of scientific texts, fish fragments and painterly backgrounds. Each of Tandy’s “seeded note books” use one sheet of paper as the substrate for various source materials, then are folded into book form.
One book is filled with the history of marine ichthyological collections. “It raises profound questions,” said Tandy. “Who is the ichthyologist naming the fish and how did we arrive at this point? While I do not have answers, I offer my emotional translations as a means of engagement. In an unexpected way, this journey resonates as a coming home — much like the end of the salmon’s odyssey.” Coast Reporter, Michael Gurney 2024

A Personal Response to Our Salish Sea;

The culmination of my influences, particularly my experiences of the ocean, streams, and sentient beings through the eyes of my scientist father, has influenced my art and worldview and is the container for my response for ‘Our Salish Sea’. He was a biochemist and research scientist working for B.C. Fisheries in the 1960s and 1970s, with his work extending into the early 1980s. I was exposed to the government's process of developing hatcheries and grew up in that environment I understood that my father was deeply conflicted about his work and often expressed concerns that it would have damaging effects in the future. I accompanied him to hatcheries and streams, often spending time at the lab amongst all the equipment the DNA slides and data information. Also visiting the huge holding tanks and smaller containers where I enjoyed letting the fry fish nibble on my fingertips.

My artistic practice is process-oriented, characterized by a collage of ideas and experiments that allow me to unfurl and further understand my concepts. The unfolding of my intentions is what I share with others. I have curated a collection of inherited fisheries books, published research papers, and lab supplies that have been in storage for 30 years. This selection serves as the foundation and resource material for my contribution to the exhibition, and it will continue to grow and evolve.

One book, in particular, filled with the history of marine ichthyological collections, raises profound questions: Who is the ichthyologist naming the fish, and how did we arrive at this point? While I do not have answers, I offer my emotional translations as a means of engagement.

In an unexpected way, this journey resonates as a coming home—much like the end of the salmon’s odyssey.

My installation was showcased at the Sunshine Coast Arts Council as part of the Sechelt Arts Festival 2024 group exhibition, "Our Salish Sea." Viewers were invited to handle and explore the seeded notebooks featured in the installation.

Thank you for visiting Art Lovers and Ocean supporters.