From Canada’s East Coast, self-taught visual artist Shayla Perreault showcases her inspired work in Not The Dao presented by Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. The exhibit reinforces the Garden’s philosophy of creating a “window to another world” by offering viewers an experience which cannot be explained with words.

Perreault’s self-proclaimed obsession with symbolism comes from the way it can communicate things that language can not. If words had the same capacity to communicate as art does, Perreault says, then she wouldn’t need to paint!

Making the shift from her previous job as a finance manager, Perreault was no longer willing to accept “practical” ideas from others about what her career should be.

“I had a strong will to do what I’d wanted to do since I was three,” says Perreault.

An artistic inclination

Shayla Perreault at work.| Photo by Ulysses Newcomb.

Born in Fredericton, Perreault is no stranger to relocating as she has moved over 20 times. While English is her first language, she was born to a French father, went to a francophone school and lived in a francophone community with her French husband for 10 years. Now the operations manager at Vancouver’s Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, she continues to live her dream of being an artist.

Although she is self-taught, Perreault credits the city of Moncton and its dynamic arts scene for a lot of her training.

“While they didn’t teach technique or tell me how to paint, discussions about art in general, good books and visiting innumerable art exhibits fed my practice,” says Perreault, about her training as an artist.

Art has been in her family for centuries and was something Perrault fell naturally into.

“Art became an alternative language, or even a code. Topics and conversation about something you normally wouldn’t talk about with a stranger were safe,” says Perreault.

However, taking her talent and turning it into a career was not something Perreault had always planned on.

“You don’t approach galleries unless you’ve gone to art school!,” she told her husband.

But he didn’t listen and showed his wife’s portfolio to a gallery that supported emerging artists, kick-starting Perreault’s career as a full-time artist.

International inspirations

One of Perreault’s paintings.

Having had artistic inclinations from a young age, Perreault remembers the strong impressions left by the illustrations of Japanese artist Kinuko Craft.

“It took me to a fantasy world that continues to enrich my imagination and inform my painting activity,” says Perreault.

Building on this foundation, Perreault continues as an adult to borrow practices from Japanese painters of the Edo Period.

“Just as they did, my paintings encourage meditation on the physical and spiritual.”

The vulnerability that comes with the presentation of one’s artwork became increasingly easy for Perreault as she realized that if the viewer understands the painting and the emotion behind it, then they’ve probably had a similar experience.

“If you’ve ever had someone interpret your dream and it surprises you with understanding and accuracy but you don’t necessarily believe in dream interpretation, you know how this feels. It baffled at first as much as it was thrilling.”

Experiential understanding

The title of Perreault’s exhibition comes from the thought provoking quote: “The Dao that can be explained is not the Dao.”

While there are ideas in Daoism that align with the making of the pieces in her show, this is not a Daoist show.

“Spirituality and philosophy can be very personal things, and I don’t identify with any particular philosophy or religion,” says Perreault. “I would say Daoist thought has had an influence on me, since I work every day surrounded by the Garden which is built with the intention to express such concepts.”

The Not the Dao exhibit runs from Sept. 3 to 30 and offers the viewer the chance to experience that which cannot be explained with words.

Had Leticia Sanchez, Chair of the Art Committee, not seen Perreault’s work, got the support of the rest of the staff and insisted the show be at the Garden, it probably wouldn’t have happened.

“I’m lucky to have had such incredible people in my life, supporting me to do what I love,” says Perreault.

The art exhibition Not the Dao will take place Step. 3–30.

For more information: www.vancouverchinesegarden.com