“A Day in the Life” with: Montreál-based Visual Artist Louise Campion

Louise Campion is an artist and a painter. Born in Paris, she first studied in Lyon before moving to Montreal to pursue her studies at Concordia University, and later, to Glasgow for her MFA. Looking at body language, Louise illustrates actors of systematic oppression in bright colours atop a pink underpainting, and intimate, personal recollections on handmade pink paper. Pink has been studied to have a calming effect, sometimes painted in prisons to limit aggression in inmates. Pink makeup, dabbed under the eyes, also counteracts the greenish-blue undertones of eye bags. Louise covers hers with glitter. In this hard reality, Louise has a heavy head, a soft warm heart, a desire to know that you care about the world, and a slow, steady connection to it.

Louise Campion
Louise Campion in her MFA studio, Glasgow School of Art, 2024.
Louise Campion
Bad boys, Oil on canvas, 2020.
Press Portrait, Graduate Showcase, MFA 2024, Glasgow School of Art.
Press Portrait, Graduate Showcase, MFA 2024, The Glue Factory x Glasgow School of Art.
bodies at work? body of work 1 & 2, Oil on canvas, 2023.
Work buddies (left) & David (right), Oil on canvas, 2024.
Louise Campion
The Adventures of John, Graduate Showcase, MFA 2024, The Glue Factory x Glasgow School of Art.
Louise Campion
Dynamics 6, Oil on canvas, 2020.

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Which neighbourhood are you in?

I currently live in Downtown Montreal, close to Concordia University. I also lived one year in the Plateau, three years in Hochelaga and two years in the Village. Each time, I’ve enjoyed experiencing the city in a new way.

What do you do?

I am, first and foremost, a painter, deeply committed to my artistic practice. Alongside painting, I sustain a drawing practice on handmade paper, which reflects my dedication to craftsmanship and sustainability. Recently, I’ve also begun writing professionally, expanding the narrative dimensions of my work. Beyond my studio practice, I am a cultural worker, freelancing as a curator, translator, and art administrator— roles that allow me to engage with the arts community in meaningful ways. Before pursuing my MFA, I spent three years as a landscaper with a focus on flowers, a job that allowed me to be outdoors, experience movement, and reconnect with my body through physical work.

What are you currently working on?

For the past six years, I have been working on a series of oil paintings that critique the systems of oppression upheld by corporate men in positions of power. These works explore themes of control, hierarchy, and the societal impact of patriarchal dominance. Through my art, I aim to challenge the facade of professionalism embodied by men in suits and expose the inequities embedded in these power structures. Currently, I am expanding this series while integrating more sustainable practices, such as transitioning from cotton to linen canvases, to reflect my environmental values.

Where can we find your work?

I am pretty present on Instagram. My website is in need of a good makeover but you can find there my latest works.

 

About Emilea Semancik 148 Articles
Emilea Semancik was born in North Vancouver. Emilea has always always wanted to work as a freelance writer and currently writes for the Vancouver Guardian. Taking influence from journalism culture surrounding the great and late Anthony Bourdain, she is a recipe author working towards publishing her own series of books. You can find her food blog on Instagram: