press & cv

Heather lives and works in Calgary, Canada: tattooing at her private studio, and sometimes painting, drawing, illustrating, and teaching. 

INSTAGRAM  @hyphaea

 

PRESS

"Inspired by science & spirituality; like a love child of Guillermo del Toro & Salvador Dali, her work delivers light & love in the creepiest of ways." -E-volved Magazine

"Her creations illustrate the spiritual connection between flesh and the universe, inviting the beholder to a fantasy world of macabre poetry." -Beautiful Bizarre Magazine

“McLean is now firmly placing her hometown on the global map, courtesy of her inspiringly creative art and impressive technical skill.” -Tattoo Revolution Magazine, UK

“McLean is an artist all should take note of.  She hails from the great frozen north of Canada. Her work speaks louder than any introduction I can come up with.”-Tattoo Snob, NYC

“Heather could be the poster child for the crème de la crème of modern-day artists. Just look at her work and it speaks for itself. She also displays the sound work ethic and kind-hearted personality that has evolved with a growing number of artists today.  It’s no wonder she is one of the shining stars in North America.” -Tattoodles, Montreal

 “Out of the artists showcasing, I was most impressed with the work of Heather McLean. [She] comes from the other end of the spectrum. Her stunning portraits and designs have an ethereal aspect.” -R4NT e-Magazine 

Publications

 

Shows

  • The Archie Show, Gallery 1988, Los Angeles, end feb/march 2017

  • Arch Enemy Arts, Philadelphia, group show Feb 3-26, 2017

  • Golden Moon Gallery, San Mateo CA

  • Nov 19-Jan 19 2016: Distorted Mirror Group show, Last Rites Gallery, NYC

  • Oct 29- Nov 12: Thirteenth Hour Group Show, Last Rites Gallery, NYC

  • Sept 2016: Wall Poetry, Reykjavik (two walls with Urban Nation Berlin)

  • Sept 17-Oct 12: Small Works Group Exhibition, Bein Art Gallery, Brunswick, AUS

  • Spring/Summer 2016: The Ema Show, Hellion Gallery (Portland, Paris and Tokyo.

  • July 2016: 'Invisible Threads' (Group Show) Arch Enemy Arts, Philadelphia

  • Last Rites Gallery (group show) / Empire State Tattoo Convention, NYC, July 15-17, 2016

  • June 2016: 'As Above, So Below', Arch Enemy Arts, Philadelphia (group show)

  • Spring 2016- Hellion Gallery, The Ema Show (Tokyo, Paris, Portland)

  • May 2016: 'For the First Time', Arch Enemy Arts, Philadelphia (group show)

  • December 2015- Arch Enemy Gallery, (The Royals group show) Philadelphia

  • October 2015: Calgary Tattoo & Arts Festival Gallery

  • September 19, 2015: Beakerhead, Calgary (Beakernight) Human Carousel Activation

  • Sept 2015: The Coaster Show, La Luz de Jesus Gallery, Los Angeles

  • August 2015- The SheShow, Archeloft, Calgary

  • April 2015- Arch Enemy Gallery 3rd anniversary showcase, Philadelphia

  • Oct-Feb 14/15- 8 of Swords Anniversary Show, Brooklyn NY

  • Sept 2014- Montreal Art & Tattoo Show

  • Dec 2013- Horror 5, The House Gallery, Calgary

  • Nov 2013- Bacon, The House Gallery, Calgary

  • July 2013- Vannageddon, The House Gallery, Calgary

  • June 2011- Northern Ink Exposure, Toronto

  • 2005-2008- Calgary Tattoo & Arts Festival

  • May 2004- Marked for Life Vancouver Convention

  • Aug 2003- Edmonton Tattoo & Arts Festival

  • Sept 2002- The Art House, Calgary, solo show

  • June 2001- Northern Ink Exposure, Toronto

  • Aug 2001- Regina Tattoo Convention

  • Nov 1999- Rendezvous, Edmonton, solo show

  • Oct 1998- Charles H. Scott Gallery, Vancouver: Gendered, Classed & Sexed Identities.

  • April 1998- CREA Culturele Organisatie, Amsterdam, solo show

Projects, Work and Education

  • Event Coordinator / Producer: Protect Trans Kids Tattoo Fundraiser (16 shops and over 60 artists raised $53,477.48 for Skipping Stone Calgary)

  • Presenter, Explorer Tattoo Conference, Dallas TX, September 2021. (Cover-ups and trauma informed tattooing)

  • Producer, a 3- part online tattoo seminar video series (for Basics, Body Mapping, and Black and grey realism with guest Mark Roi) 2020/2021

  • Event Coordinator: the 1st Calgary Still Not Asking For It Flash Event, June 2019 ($13,000 raised for CCASA)

  • Event Coordinator: Pop-up markets and shop flash days, Altar Tattoo 2019/2020.

  • Founder, Owner, and Manager for Haven Tattoo, Calgary, Sept 2020-present.

  • Founder, Owner and Operations Manager, Altar Tattoo Inc., Calgary 2017- Sept 2020.

  • Owner, Hyphaea Inc. & Private Tattoo Studio, Calgary, since 2017.

  • Aug 22, 2015 Producer: The She-Show (Art show and fundraiser for The Calgary Women’s Centre, &7,615.00 raised)

  • 2003-2006 Owner, Hide and Seek Tattoo, Calgary

  • 1999-2000 Tattoo Apprenticeship, Edmonton

  • 1998-1999 Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, Vancouver

  • 1998 Art Gallery of Alberta, Summer Classes Coordinator

  • 1997-1998 CREA/Universitite Van Amsterdam: Painting

  • 1995-1997 University of Alberta, B.Ed and Fine Arts Programs

Private Collections: Calgary, Edmonton, Canmore, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Amsterdam, Berlin, New Haven CT, Richmond VA, San Diego, New York, Hong Kong, Portland, Toronto.