Michelle Neilson

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Michelle Neilson, “A Conversation On Consciousness,” 2025

acrylic on wood, 23.75” x 23.75” (courtesy of the artist)

Michelle Neilson’s latest body of work delves into two interconnected themes: CONSCIOUSNESS and THE VIEW IS YOU.

CONSCIOUSNESS examines the nature of awareness itself. What does it mean to be conscious? Is there a collective consciousness? And what happens when AI attains it? These questions permeate Neilson’s work, reflecting on the unseen forces that shape perception, memory, and human connection. A recurring motif in her paintings is the all-seeing eye—an ancient symbol found across many cultures and religions. It embodies both introspection and shared experience, urging viewers to look within while acknowledging the vast network of consciousness that binds us all.

THE VIEW IS YOU builds upon these ideas, confronting the shifting roles of observer and observed in an era shaped by AI and algorithm-driven reality. As digital systems analyze, predict, and influence human behavior, a reversal takes place—we are no longer just viewers; we are also being viewed. Neilson’s paintings reflect this paradox, challenging the illusion of control in a world where technology mirrors us back to ourselves. Through these themes, Neilson’s work serves as both an inquiry and a reminder—to remain open to possibilities, to complexity, and to the shared human experience.

This show is a unique collaboration featuring poetry by emerging local poet Deanna Bell and QR codes linking to music by Alcin Ramos, Canada’s foremost teacher and performer of the Japanese shakuhachi bamboo flute. “I wanted to bring together like-minded artistic voices to create a truly immersive experience— one that quiets the mind and deepens the viewer’s engagement,” said Neilson. “I love collaborative projects because they enhance the artistic experience, layering different forms of media to create something greater than the sum of its parts.”

Location: Gumboot Café, 1053 Roberts Creek Rd, Roberts Creek, BC V0N 0A8