Creative Statement
Foraging is at the center of my practice, shaped by an interest in the metaphors and systems of natural ecologies. I gather materials from my surroundings to create inks, pigments, and tools for mark-making. Guided by bold experimentation and a willingness to surrender to the inherent characteristics and imperfections of natural materials, my work seeks a balance between intention and the unexpected, reflecting life’s journey. Each artwork becomes a small landscape, capturing where I have been and what I have learned along the way. Sustainability runs through every part of my work, not just in the materials I choose, but in the values I hold: care, collaboration, and self-reliance. Through this practice, I stay connected to the land, to the community, and to the deeper cycles of change that shape us.
As an art educator, I value open-ended, experiential learning opportunities that foster curiosity and deepen feelings of connection. I facilitate activities such as walking and foraging, creating 'paintbrushes' from natural materials for experimental mark-making, and making natural inks and pigments. Through these experiences, I encourage intuitive thinking and critical reflection.
Bio
Judith Librach is an artist, educator, and community organizer, often occupying all positions at once. She holds a BFA in Drawing and Painting from OCAD University, an MEd in Community and Transformative Learning, and a BEd (OISE). She is an Ontario Certified Teacher. Judith’s artwork has been featured in galleries in Toronto and Picton, Ontario.
Judith Librach lives and works in Canada on Indigenous land. She is committed to listening, learning, and researching to better understand what was, what is, what happened, and how best to honour and respect the stewardship of the lands led by its Indigenous leaders.