ARTIST PROFILE
Patricia Bourque
By Story Sheidow
This particular image (#1) was taken on the north shore, I was in the National Park in Cavendish; it's past the lights of towns and cities and dark enough with minimal moonlight, that I was able to capture it. It's extra challenging this far south with clouds, and I didn't have great gear then. Most people think we are able to see the lights with the naked eye, but this far south it's a rarity. Last time I saw the dancing lights was in the 80s. Camera sensors using long exposure can capture the colours our eyes cannot.” “The following image (#2) was taken for my first series, 'My Two Worlds,' I photographed Kindra Bernard in her traditional jingle dress. She is Mi'kmaq First Nation from Abegweit First Nation, PEI. I wanted to make sure people knew it was taken on Prince Edward Island, thus the red sandstone. The jingle dress is sacred, considered the prayer dance amongst Indigenous people; I had her pose in dance positions: prayers for the land, and water. Water is life. Water is sacred.” “This was named 'See'er' (#3) peeking behind her eagle fan, it portrays protection, and sacredness. An elder once called me a see'er, because of my gift of seeing beauty, and so much more.” “Sun Beaming Through the Trees, (#4) was taken on Lennox Island First Nation on the trails. Evening light. This was during filming of a commercial, it was some downtime and they were using the fog machine. I was sitting on the ground just enjoying the moment and saw the light shining through the trees and fog...I was happy, and that moment needed to be captured. That's what it's all about for me, mood, feelings, energy...whatever is happening in that moment, just is the perfect recipe for a picture.”
▲ Patricia Bourque
P atricia Bourque is Mi’kmaq First Nation, and was born and raised here on the Island. She has taken photos for most of her life: “Photography found me,” says Bourque. The result is a decades-long history of capturing real-life moments in time. Upon being asked what the most coveted moments were, she said, “My favourite thing to photograph is wildlife. Being in nature is what grounds me, centres me, brings me so much joy. It's a moment I'm alone in nature; just me and wildlife. It's always an honour for me when they allow me to photograph them, it feels sacred and very special.” I wanted to know more about these moments from behind the lens, so Bourque curated some of her favourite images, and described them from her perspective- this time using words, not pictures. “I love photographing the aurora borealis. It's so hard here on PEI so far south. It's been a few years since I had a good opportunity; when everything lines up, clear skies, time and just the right solar flares.
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www.pei-living.ca SUMMER 2020
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