‘Water – Unframed’ intends to offer multiple perspectives on how we can view water. It invites the viewer to question their relationship with water: as a natural resource, as a human right, its role in the climate crisis and as integral to our livelihood.

Statistics regarding water levels and resources are alarming. The current Arctic sea ice cover is at its lowest level and is projected to reach ice-free conditions before 2050. By then, the number of people at risk of floods will increase to 1.6 billion. Extreme weather events are making water more scarce and contaminated. Climate change is driving the water crisis. Flooding, droughts, wildfires, melting glaciers and a disappearing ice cap are all issues that affect and will increase the water crisis globally.

Canada has access to 7% of the world’s freshwater resources. However, water scarcity in Canada is concerning given the climate change crisis which decreases its availability and demand. Additionally, there is still no safe drinking water in some communities. As of July 2024, there were 37 short-term drinking water advisories in place in First Nations communities across Canada.

Our human bodies are roughly 60 percent water, almost 40 litres of it carried in our cells. We need water for digestion and healthy muscles and bones. About 55% of our blood is composed of plasma, of which 90% is water. Essentially, we cannot survive without daily intake of fresh water to replenish our systems.

In this installation each frame becomes a window through which these ideas can be brought to the surface, looking to stimulate reflection, contemplation and insightful questioning. How can it be that this vital element is endangered yet so often overlooked? The hope of this installation is to highlight the importance of this integral natural resource, crucial to our survival.