Myfanwy Ashmore facts for kids

Myfanwy Ashmore is a Canadian artist. She is well-known for creating art that uses video games and digital technology. Her work often involves computers and new forms of media.

Her Art Journey

Ashmore studied art at several different schools. In 1990, she attended the Emily Carr College of Art and Design. She then moved to the Ontario College of Art & Design. There, she focused on Sculpture and Installation, graduating in 1996. She later earned her master's degree from York University in 1998.

Her Creative Work

Myfanwy Ashmore is best known for her art that uses computer software. She has shown her artwork with many other famous artists. These include Yoko Ono and Sol LeWitt.

The Soma/Somo Project

In 2000, Ashmore created a project called soma/somo. This art piece featured grapefruits that were connected online and slowly decayed. Some people in the Canadian Parliament did not like this project. Inky Mark, a politician, publicly said that public money spent on art like this was wasted. He believed the Canada Council for the Arts should not fund such projects.

Mario Art Series

One of Ashmore's most famous works is her 2000 software art piece, Mario Battle no.1. This program, and two later works, are based on the video game Super Mario Bros.. The series plays with the idea of "rescuing the princess" from the game.

Mario Battle no.1 was first shared on floppy disks across North America. Later, it became available online. It has been compared to other art that uses games, like Cory Arcangel's Super Mario Clouds. These works show how games can become art objects. They also show how artists can simplify or change original game material.

Her Mario series was shown in a 2006 exhibition at InterAccess Electronic Media Arts Centre. A short video of Mario Battle no.1 was also shown in Dundas Square. In 2012, the series was exhibited at the Platform Centre for Photographic and Digital Arts in Winnipeg.

In 2004, Ashmore's work was part of an exhibition called 0.001 Percent Volume. This show took place at Mercer Union in Toronto. Her art was also included in Episode 4 of Lorna Mills' video series, Ways of Something, made between 2014 and 2015.

Teaching Art

Ashmore has also taught New Media. She taught in the Image Arts Program at Ryerson University. This university is now known as Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto.

Awards and Recognition

Myfanwy Ashmore has received many grants and awards for her art. These have come from various art councils and artist-run centers. In 2003, she was nominated for the K.M. Hunter award. This is a very respected award from the Ontario Arts Council.