Visual Artist for Vol. 124: Mind Over Memory
Myriam Wares
Montreal, Canada
Myriam Wares brings a hyperrealistic approach to an array of highly symbolic and often surrealistic subject matter. Taking evident inspiration from the vaporwave movement, Wares transposes neoclassical iconography into a variety of surprising contexts, rendering the images with focused detail and a keen eye for light, space, shadow and depth. For this volume, the artist leans further into a strictly classical aesthetic with only the barest suggestion of strangeness to defamiliarize the ubiquitous, eyeless Greek statues. The interior of the gatefold showcases a pristine Hellenistic garden dotted with a few select surrealistic details which somehow only enhance the scene’s overall sense of peace and tranquility.
Born and raised in Montreal, Wares studied locally at Dawson College before embarking on a successful career as a freelance illustrator, with international clientele from the worlds of advertising, editorial journalism and publishing. Her work has been recognized by the World Illustration Awards, Communication Arts and 3x3 Magazine awards. Various contributions have been featured in publications such as Colossal, Nautilus, Taschen and Radio-Canada. Wares has served as juror for Illustration Québec - Association des illustrateurs and recently gave her first artist talk at Université de Laval.