June Gutman has always been a creative person but it is in the face of a reality-shattering injury at the hands of the psychiatric system that kicked her art practice into gear.
Her natural instinct for setting up humorous scenes while at the same time depicting her loneliness and struggle to stay afloat amidst the waves of “doom and terror” as described by her, gives her work a potent and timeless aura that drags the viewer into an oddly familiar world.
Her usage of historical imagery and naive realism creates a sharp backdrop for her message; she is narrating her own traumatic experiences as a “mental health” patient while advocating for the many people harmed and forgotten by the psychiatric system, and by extension society. She is dedicated to not only reaching others who have been harmed similarly, but is also eager to educate unfamiliar audiences about the pitfalls of the mental health system.
June is a very prolific artist, though her artistic productivity is only surpassed by her kindness.
-Written by Mo, June’s Husband
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Which neighbourhood are you in?
I’m currently living in the quiet of Côte-des-Neiges
What do you do?
I draw, paint, write, heal and play Runescape
What are you currently working on?
At the moment my husband Mo (@mooovooom) and I have a joint exhibition at Gallery Cache which has been very exciting.
I’m also working on a new cover for the 2nd edition of my new art book, titled “Quaila”, published by Poppy Press. It’s incredible having all of my favourite pieces together in one book.
Additionally, I’m organizing works that will be shown in New York at the Outsider Art Fair in February 2025. My representing gallery “Kishka Gallery” has a booth there for the third year in a row and although I’m not able to be there in person, it’s thrilling to have my work included in this talent-packed fair.
Where can we find your work?
I’m @june_sniff on Instagram
