About
Rebecca Clouâtre is a hand-cut paper collage artist based in Ottawa, Canada. In 2015 she received a Masters degree in Art History from Carleton University, with a concentration in Art Exhibition and Curatorial Studies. After a brief career in historical research and curatorial work, she is now a full-time artist. In 2020, CBC Arts released a Paper Cuts documentary film about Clouâtre and her artistic process. Her collages have been exhibited in Canada, the U.S.A. and Australia.
Clouâtre creates hand-cut, two-dimensional works that explore the delicate interplay between nature and humanity. Through her art, she invites viewers to reflect upon and reimagine their connections to the environment and one another. Her collages, which amalgamate vintage photographs, natural imagery, and salvaged paper-based materials, offer a whimsical meditation on contemporary themes such as feminism, womanhood, and ecological sustainability.
Inspired by natural history illustrations, Surrealism, and illuminated manuscripts, Clouâtre creates dreamlike scenes that balance intricate detail with intentional negative space. Her work employs unexpected juxtapositions, varying scales, and a rich variety of textures and colours to create a new approach to the medium of collage. Clouâtre’s materials—sourced mainly from thrift shops, yard sales, and used bookstores—reflect her commitment to sustainability and breathing new life into forgotten imagery. She ensures her art aligns with her values by using acid-free adhesives and environmentally friendly practices.
Clouâtre’s creative process is deeply research-driven and rooted in the tactile, familiar qualities of paper. Each composition becomes a call for contemplation and a reminder of the irreplaceable role of human-made art in a fast-paced, machine-driven world. By creating intimate, archival-quality works that echo humanity’s place within a larger natural system, Clouâtre seeks to inspire broader conversations about connection, care, and responsibility in the face of a changing climate. Her art is at once a reflection, a plea, and an invitation to rediscover harmony within ourselves and the environment.