Originally from Hudson Heights, Quebec, Shelley Freeman first studied fine arts and typography at York University and worked for 2 years at Coach House Press in Toronto. She then moved to Montreal and began a 33-year career as a social worker specializing in community-based psychogeriatrics. During this time, Shelley obtained her BFA with Distinction from Concordia University and joined the Regroupement des artistes en arts visuels du Québec. She served on RAAV's Board of Directors from 2016 to 2024, and acted as RAAV’s representative on the Board of CARFAC from 2017 to 2024. She is a member of ELAN (English Language Arts Network), Arbor Gallery and Spéléo Québec.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

The main focus of Shelley’s artwork is nature-based: empty spaces existing within natural phenomena such as caves, rocks, water and ice formations, and man-made structures such as abandoned mines and tunnels. She is intrigued by the dimension of depth and it's link with illusion. Her semi-abstract paintings, prints and photos of subterranean and underwater "landscapes" have been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Wales and the United States.