Bio
Teresa Selbee-Baker is a representational painter based on Savary Island, a remote community in British Columbia. Working in oil on cradled wood panels and paper, she paints from portraits, florals, landscapes, and geometric form, layering these elements into a single visual language rooted in bold colour and personal history.
Her work begins with her own photographs and family pictures, collaged together until a composition emerges. Wood panels are prepared with clear gesso so the grain stays visible beneath the paint, connecting the work to place and to memory, while thin layers of oil paint are built up slowly.
Selbee-Baker holds a BFA in painting and photography from Thompson Rivers University, completed in 2006, and is an active member of the Rise and Repaint Network, an international collective of women and non-binary artists. Her work has been exhibited in solo and group shows across British Columbia and in Chicago, and has appeared in Artist Talk , Suboart , Art Seen , and Women United Magazine. She has been interviewed on CBC Radio's North by Northwest and completed a 2025 residency with Atelier Artist in Residence.
In her captivating exhibit titled "Without Saying a Word," Teresa invites viewers to embark on a profound journey into the depths of human emotion and connection. Over the course of a year, she poured her heart and soul into crafting 100 portraits, each one a testament to the intricate tapestry of human experience. Drawing inspiration from a diverse array of submitted photographs, Teresa skillfully captured the essence of her subjects, delving into their unique and often complex emotional landscapes.
Through her masterful strokes and keen eye for detail, Teresa invites viewers to peer beyond the surface and into the soul of each individual depicted. In every brushstroke lies a story waiting to be told, a silent narrative that speaks volumes about the human condition. From joy to sorrow, love to longing, her portraits serve as windows into the myriad emotions that unite us all.
In this exhibition, Teresa extends an open invitation to all, urging visitors to forge connections with the images before them. Whether reflecting on their own experiences or empathizing with those of others, viewers are encouraged to explore the common thread of humanity that binds us together. In a world often filled with noise and distraction, "Without Saying a Word" offers a sanctuary for quiet contemplation and heartfelt connection—a testament to the enduring power of art to transcend language and touch the depths of the human soul.
Written by Ken Matheson