Born in Canada in 1949, Linda Ward Selbie is a graduate in Media Studies at Ryerson University, Toronto. Since 1981 she has participated as both artist and art curator in the Durham, Ontario cultural community. Within her oeuvre, she has created a body of work that touches on a variety of themes, including the objectification of isolated remnants of paternalism encountered in contemporary society. Exhibitions such as Circus Vesta (1992) portray women and girls surrounded by collaged segmented body parts made with details of swimsuit models clipped from daily newspapers.

     Essentially interested in social dynamics of interaction and the way free expression is suppressed, the artist does not shy away from presenting the provocative seen while observing people at play in festivals or parades.

     Masquerades allow indulgences that are otherwise forbidden. Mardi Gras in New Orleans is an ongoing public spectacle that continues to attract the eye of the photographer. Ward Selbie sees the blatant sexual displays played on the stage of Bourbon Street in broad daylight as bold expressions of freedom, not of antisocial behaviour. Masked participants challenge the constrictions of a sexually repressed society, amusing anyone willing to watch. Linda Ward Selbie delights as photographer/voyeur, playing a role at such events recording exhibitionists who pose with abandon for the camera.

     The artist also explores cemeteries, creating beautiful imagery of decaying statuary and other artifacts. The series Angelus (1994) offers carved romantic Victorian garden figures set in lush cemetery landscapes juxtaposed with pictures of children’s graves. Subtle differences occur in the displays of Europe and North America, which often include plastic toys from pop culture such as Barbie dolls or Hot Wheels cars.