Catherine Richards facts for kids

Catherine Richards is a Canadian artist. She was born in 1952 in Ottawa, Ontario. She is well-known for her art that uses new technologies. She was one of the first artists to explore virtual reality (VR). In fact, she was the very first artist in Canada to use VR in her art. This was for her 1991 artwork called Spectral Bodies.

Richards is also a professor. She teaches Media Arts at the University of Ottawa.

Catherine Richards: A Pioneer in Art and Technology

Catherine Richards' art explores how people connect with technology. She thinks of this as the "jam in the electro-magnetic sandwich." This means she looks at the close relationship between us and the digital world. She uses both old and new technologies in her work. Her art shows how our understanding of ourselves can change. This happens as new technologies become a bigger part of our lives.

Richards' art has been shown all over the world. This includes big events like the 2004 Sydney Biennale. Important art thinkers like Katherine Hayles have written about her work. Her art is also in major books about art and science.

She often works with scientists. From 2002 to 2005, she was an Artist in Residence for Research (AIRes). This was at the National Research Council of Canada. In 1993, she won the Petro Canada Media Arts prize. This was for her artwork Spectral Bodies. Her ideas about virtual reality and new media are very important. They helped shape how artists use these new tools.

Richards was the first artist to receive a special award. It was called the University Research Chair at the University of Ottawa. This award helps show that art can be a form of research. This idea is becoming more accepted in universities across North America. Richards has played a big part in making this happen.

Her Special Artworks

Richards has created many interesting pieces. Here are a few examples:

• Spectral Bodies (1991): This video artwork uses short stories. It shows how a person's sense of self might change. This happens if their body feels lost or changed by technology.
• Body in Ruins (1986): This piece uses photos and text. It explores how uncertain our bodies can feel. This is especially true when we experience virtual reality.

Exhibitions and Shows

Catherine Richards' art has been shown in many places.

• In 2005, her work was part of a show called Resonances. This was at the Zentrum für Kunst und Medientechnologie in Germany.
• She was also part of the 2004 Biennale of Sydney.

Awards and Achievements

Catherine Richards has received many awards and fellowships for her work: