Theresa MacKnight

Dates: Oct. 30th - Dec. 18th

“Pivotal Moment” is a body of work which began as a visual process for expressing ambiguous and sometimes strong feelings about our shared time in history. I consider much of my work to be narrative. There are stories contained in them, as well as open questions and opportunities for the viewer to engage in something shared or universal. The first few in this series were often about my unexpressed political rage, fears, and concerns about the world our youth will inherit. In others, the narrative softens to express shared feelings such as love or wonder.
My process begins simply, with an idea or question which triggers an emotion or memory. I then find a subject or model to work with and place them in a space which is not overly specific so that I can feel free to invent and edit. I combine images from these photoshoots, with memory, imagination and often invented colour. For me, this way of working is quite immediate, can be intense, and offers much discovery.
Each of these paintings began with an idea, or question. Here are some examples:
“What would it take for a woman to leave her country, in a boat, with her baby, and dog?
“Why does who we love matter so much?”
“Is complacency an option anymore?”
“What would you do if you stumbled into a war you didn’t start and wanted no part of?”
“Are we moving quickly enough to mitigate our environmental impacts?”
For the sake of clarity, the latter question surrounds the image and concept of a tarp, which emerged as an idea and stuck around for a while. Tarps are utilitarian objects, meant to protect or to prevent something from being damaged. I first started playing with it on the tidal zone of Saint Andrews, draping it over boulders which would soon be underwater. Since tarps are utilitarian objects, meant to protect or prevent damage, this scenario became a compelling image for a futile effort. I often have questions and doubt about programs, and efforts, often undertaken at great cost, to mitigate climate change, and rising sea levels. Perhaps they may make us feel better in the moment but, in the end, are we making a difference? Thus, the tarps of f-utility.

Theresa MacKnight is a committed painter led by curiosity and exploration within her practice. She finds direction within a strong sense of place, imagination, and personal history.
Theresa exhibits her work in public and private galleries throughout New Brunswick. She was been the recipient of the Margaret Woodson Nae Mentorship to study painting through the Sheila Hugh MacKay Foundation. Recently she was awarded the 2025 Eidlitz Award through Sunbury Shores Arts & Nature Centre and completed several residencies including a summer residency at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, Fredericton New Brunswick.
In addition to her lifelong painting practice, MacKnight has been an educator and advocate for visual arts in schools and communities. She has taught in public schools and art centers with both youth and adults, and worked on various curriculum development and arts advocacy projects. She has served on boards such as Sunbury Shores Arts & Nature Centre.
Theresa MacKnight holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Nova Scotia College of Art and Design) and a Bachelor of Education (University of New Brunswick). She now lives and works in St. Andrews, New Brunswick.