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Free Spirit

    an investigative photo documentary

Exclusive 21-page photo essay from our investigative journalist team in collaboration with award-winning photojournalist David Kawai. Location: Ottawa, Canada Copyright Wondereur 2023.

MEET with artist Meryl McMaster curated by internationally acclaimed artist Barbara Astman.

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“I’M DRAWN TO THE LITTLE MYSTERIES IN THE NATURAL WORLD THAT ARE KIND OF UNEXPLAINED.”
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“It could be the sound of birds or when rain hits the water.”
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“Or the different types of wind that hit your face when you’re canoeing down the river.”
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“You don’t notice them when you’re in the city. It’s when you’re out in these remote landscapes that your senses switch on.”
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“NATURE REAWAKENS ME IN A DIFFERENT WAY.”
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“I always come away feeling spiritual nourishment and with a heightened understanding of myself.”
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“I’VE BECOME ATTUNED TO MY SURROUNDINGS, EXPLORING MY PLACE IN THE NATURAL WORLD.”
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“SINCE BIRTH, I’VE HAD THESE TWO TALISMANS: A LIZARD AND A TURTLE.”
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“They’re both water and land creatures.”
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“TALISMANS ARE POWERFUL OBJECTS.”
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“In Aboriginal culture, talismans become personal protections through life and hard times. They’re extensions of my body protecting me through this transformational experience.”
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“The lizard and turtle represent my parents, my Scottish and AborIginal ancestry. They also symbolize me moving freely between worlds.”
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“I’M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHERE I BELONG IN BETWEEN.”
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“A lot of my work makes me think about my own culture, my split heritage, my mixed background.”
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“I was really inspired by Sally Mann and how she created a lot of large, black space negatives with dark spots in her photographs, and I remember thinking how incredibly beautiful they are.”
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“I FIND THE IMPERFECTIONS TO BE THE MOST INTERESTING ASPECTS OF A PHOTOGRAPH.”
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“There’s a mystery behind taking photos, developing chemicals and watching it come to the surface.”
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“SOMETIMES, YOU START TO SEE THESE ‘COINCIDENCES.’”
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“I JUST LOVE THE BEAUTIFUL IMPERFECTIONS.”