Shelley Ouellet

special projects

2011 Tea for Tales
2011 SOUP
2010 SOUP
2006 - 2008 Carpet 'N Toast Gallery

solo exhibitions

2011 Johnston Falls
2009 Johnston Falls
2008 This old thing?
2007 All That Glitters…
2006 Tag (with Erin MacMillan)
2006 Talk Back
2006 Shoes
2004 Friday, February 13th, 2004
2001 - 02 Wish You Were Here...
2000 Bonjour, Je m’appelle Shelley Ouellet
1999 Marilyn
1999 Aviary
1997 - 99 Entomology
1997 Quilt
1995 Entomology
1994 Entomology
1994 Bunnies

group exhibitions

2011 The Directors' Show/Role
2011 Tea for Tarts
2009 Radiant
2005 Stride 20th Anniversary
2002 Alberta Biennial
2002 Art Throb
2002 ACAD Faculty Exhibition
2000 Coffee Break@instant coffee.com
1999 Light a Match
1996 Alberta Biennial
1996 Numbered Company
1995 Mysteries of the Flesh
1995 Copy

other diversions

2006 - 2008 Carpet 'N Toast Gallery
1996 - 2006 vanitygallery.com

Shoes
EM/MEDIA

Calgary, AB
Artist in Residence and Video Screening
January 2006

Browsing the local magazine shop Shelley Ouellet stumbled across a periodical called Shuz. Two hundred and some pages dedicated to the upcoming season’s hottest footwear, sole-related articles and editorials and, of course, advertising for shoes. As she flipped through the glossy pages, she teetered between gluttonous desire and shame at succumbing to such a consumerist fetish. With a twinge of guilt and a bit of shiver, she abandoned the Canadian Art and bought a copy anyway.

Ouellet confesses that she has a lot of shoes. She loves finding a gorgeous little sandal in the racks at “Winners” and, in spite of bursting closets, she continues to buy more. She loves getting a bargain and, on occasion, has kept the marked down price tag on the sole to boast of a particular conquest. She loves rediscovering her snakeskin oxfords, velour boots or the purple suede mary-janes and she loves that they still fit the same as the day they were bought. She loves how the wear of her sassy old cowboy boots are a reminder of art school friends and crazy adventures. She loves buying shoes and hates to see them go. She loves how her shoes can make her feel nostalgic, tough, sporty, sexy or lady-like. But does this really justify having dozens and dozens of pairs when you can only wear one at a time? If there is a magazine about shoes, then there must be others like Shelley.

In a series of video documentaries shot a EMMEDIA, a cross-section of people show off their shoes while discussing the details of their collection. Tami, Mary and Camille, a mother and her two young daughters from rural Alberta bring in whatever shoes fit in their car and admit that many are taken from each other or “the basement”. Ben, an art historian and avid sportsman, maintains a sensible wardrobe until it comes to sport-related footwear. Aurora, an artist who has made several cross-country moves, defines how shoes make the cut and what cuts still break her heart. Alen and Ann, a professional couple with a penchant for designer labels and factory outlets, share moments from their very Prada Christmas. Amy, a hopeless romantic and thrift shop diva, recounts shoe specific occasions with matching accessories. Denise, a dancer, writer and actress, who has more shoes than Shelley, narrates and twirls through a blur of personal history, costumes, practice shoes and precise demands for her everyday wear. Finally, Shelley flaunts her own 70 pairs of shoes, boots and sandals, justifying each purchase while she continues to hunt for more.