Mirage by Linda Craddock

It began with a rose in the snow. A recognition that everything changes—no longer hidden, yet no longer in existence—defines the atmosphere of Linda Craddock's work. Her art reflects an ongoing exploration of transformation, grounded in the understanding that none of us live entirely in the present. What we perceive as “now” is a fusion of personal and collective experiences shaped by the framework of our current existence. This dynamic interplay defines who we are, and the tension between conscious memory, subconscious memory, dreams, and reality forms the foundation of her work.

The artist seeks to transcend the everyday, exploring an inner world shaped by time and its passage. This pursuit has always been central to her work. She strives to rise above the confusion, drama, and trauma that life inevitably brings, acknowledging that transcendence is no easy task—unless one chooses to allow it.

Her use of metaphor is deeply autobiographical, drawing from personal experiences and rooted in themes of change, the longing for freedom, and the desire to retreat.

A native of east-central Alberta, Linda Craddock has been creating art since the early 1970s. A graduate of the Alberta College of Art (now Alberta University of the Arts) and the University of Calgary, she has taught at institutions including the University of Calgary, the University of Victoria, the Western Academy of Photography, and Red Deer College. Her work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions across Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, as well as in Czech, Poland, and the United States.