press & cv
Heather lives and works in Calgary, Canada: tattooing at her private studio, painting, drawing, illustrating, and making murals.
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
June 2020 Beautiful Bizarre IG Artist Takeover and Feature
2019 fall (Vol 2 Issue 20) Freq Magazine
2019-2020- Cover Art for The Psychedelic Anthology
Tattoo Life Magazine issue #107 (Europe) Feature Artist
2016- Cover Art for The Psychedelic Anthology
2016- Music on Walls
2016 Urban Nation
2016- Enchanted, Out of Steps Books hardcover
2016 July wowXwow
2015- Pandaemonium, Out of Steps Books hardcover
2015- Yes Ma'am Australia
Nov 2014- Nuvango.com
Feb 2014- Bleaq.com
June 2014- FFWD Best of Calgary
Sept 2014- E-volved Magazine #5 feature
Aug2014- Feathers of Inspiration, Out of Step Books hardcover
Oct. 11 ’12- FFWD Weekly cover
Oct. 2012- Tattoo Revolution cover story
Sept. 2010- Tattoo Snob
June 2010- International Tattoo Art cover
Sept. 2007- Alberta Bound Tattoo & Arts Review
May 2007- Tattoodles
April 2007- Underspray
March 2007- Tattoo Life Canada
Sept. 2006- Reading for New Times R4NT.com
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: the 1st Calgary Still Not Asking For It Flash Event, June 2019
Event Coordinator: Pop-up markets and shop flash days, Altar Tattoo 2019/2020.
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)
2003-2006 Owner, Hide an&d 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.