Christine Croteau

Interference

Inspired by: Laura McPhee, The Blue Lagoon Evelyn Rydz, Gulf Pile Harvey Sadow, Fire and Flood/Sacred Sites

mixed media collage

34” x 24” x 1”

2023

In this piece I am responding to Laura McPhee’s “Blue Lagoon” , Evelyn Rydz Gulf Pile, and Harvey Sadow’s, “Fire and Flood”. In all their pieces I saw both the beauty of nature, specifically the ocean, and the harsh devastating impact humans have had on it. Similarly, In my piece “Interference” I collaged together breathtaking images of the sea and combined them with unsightly debris, including pieces of blue foam and objects I found from human use on the beach; glass, ceramics, and old pipes. My hope was to create a sense of both beauty and dissonance from this assemblage. I have a deep love of the ocean and spend most of my free time swimming. It breaks my heart to see and experience the devastation that is happening to our oceans and through the creation of this piece I was able to express a little of my grief.

Instagram- @croteauchristine

Christine Croteau

Baking With Type 1 Diabetes

Mixed media found objects

16” x 8” x 0.5”

2023

I’m a person living with Type 1 Diabetes. I’ve been battling with medical supply companies in order to obtain my diabetes supplies for the past 18 years. This year has been the worst. I figured I’d try to have some fun with the situation, so, while being on hold for countless hours, I created this piece. It speaks to the daily challenges of trying to balance food intake with insulin dosage, specifically, the beloved carbohydrate. It helps me to live with this very serious and often debilitating disease by being playful and light.

@croteauchristine

Christine Croteau

Passages

sculpture found object – piece of old stair case.

9.5” x 5” x 2.5”

2023

This is part of a very old and crumbly staircase. It was unearthed on Bancroft Hill in Worcester, MA while new hiking trails were being blazed in 2023. I enjoy the shape, colors and textures of its natural decay and its anthropomorphic elements. Staircases symbolize a passage to, from or through something. Currently, myself, my friends and family, and the world, seem to be on a very precarious staircase leading to unknown ends. Yet we exist and live our lives in the passage. Neither at the beginning or end. This piece is about finding beauty in the passage.

@croteauchristine

Christine Croteau

No More Gadgets We Want A Cure- Type 1 Diabetes

outdated insulin pump supplies

16″ x 20″ x 3”

2024

I am a person living with Type One Diabetes. I wear an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor 24/7. It is my hope to someday live without these. It is my hope, not just for myself, but for the millions of others living with this disease, that we find a cure.

@croteauchristine

Christine Croteau

Sugar-Free SimplicitEE

Inspired by: David Seltzer, Sea Salt/Lemon Sage

sculpture found objects

12” x 12” x 3”

2024

My piece is in response to David Seltzer’s “Sea Salt/Lemon Sage” painting. I enjoy the simplicity of his work and the visceral nature it exudes. I can taste and smell the sea salt and lemon when viewing it. In my piece, “Sugar-Free SimplicitEE” I chose to use simple shapes and colors, yet tried to convey a similar visceral experience. I am a person living with Type 1 diabetes, so I had at my disposal plenty of sugar free candy. I found the color, combination and placement of the candy and marble slats echoed Seltzer’s piece nicely.

@croteauchristine