Ava Patrick

Ava patrick is a Studio Arts student at Concordia University whose work explores the meaning embedded in ordinary human experiences. Through recurring motifs such as teeth, smiles, and, more recently, lip reading. Her practice examines themes of identity, communication, vulnerability, vulnerabiluty and the subtle ways we connect with one another. Originally from Oakville, Ontario, Ava Moved toMontreal to pursue her passion for fine arts in a city known for its vibrant, inspirational and creative community. Although she explored many artistic outlets. While growing up, she discovered her passion for oil painting during her first year at Concordia. In her second year, however, she found herself disconnected from her work, feeling constrained by assignment outlines rather than driven by personal curiosity. Choosing to step beyond those boundaries and paint subjects she was drawn to with curiosity marked a turning point in her artistic journey. This shift began with her painting "Smile!", a work. that reflects the pressure of constantly living in front of a camera and experiencing life through a lens instead of in the present moment. This piece created a creative spark for Ava as she continued with the subject, and it inspired an ongoing exploration of the hidden meanings behind a smile and what it can reveal about the human experience. Now, entering her final year at Concordia, Ava's practice evolved toward the study of lip reading, investigating communication as both a visual and auditory experience. This direction stems from her own experience with auditory processing challenges, which she came to recognize during her university studies after years of struggling to retain spoken information in academic and professional settings. Through her work, she explores lip reading not only as a practical means of communication but also as a powerful visual language that shapes understanding, connection, and perception. As she completes her undergraduate studies, Ava hopes to continue expanding this body of work while pursuing a future in art education. She aspires to inspire young artists by sharing the emotional and communicative power of art and encouraging others to find meaning in the everydy to help keep art practices alive.