EMPTY SEATS: Meet the Artist: Rylie Van Halteren

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Rylie is the Program Coordinator for the Kawartha Art Gallery. She’s a realism artist whose work often centers on intimate portrayals of women and the emotional landscapes they inhabit. Initially a charcoal artist, she now works primarily in oils, using fine detail and layered technique to explore themes of mental health, vulnerability, and the complexity of the human experience. Through her dark colour palette and realistic imagery, she invites viewers to engage with the nuanced inner worlds that shape our emotional lives. Though occasionally, a brighter subject or unexpected landscape finds its way into her work.

EXHIBITION STATEMENT

For this series, I struggled to find a style that felt right. While my work in oils could have easily suited the theme, the timeline pushed me to explore other approaches that could be completed and printed on schedule. After several unsuccessful attempts, I created the first piece, Silence Is Not Neutral. It pulled a distant memory to the surface—the bold visual language of early 2000s advertising—and the series was born.

Using digitally edited imagery and elements of graphic design, I developed a collection of protest posters that draw attention to the barriers, harassment, and inequities women continue to face, not only in politics but throughout public life. By borrowing familiar advertising aesthetics and repurposing them as calls to action, these works challenge viewers to confront issues that are too often minimized, ignored, or accepted as the status quo.

This series is ultimately a call for solidarity, visibility, and change. It is an invitation to stand together, stand tall, and ensure that our voices are heard.