Barbara Astman has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in Canada and internationally since the early 1970’s, and has work in public collections in Canada, the United Stated and Europe.  She has an Associates Degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology, School for American Craftsmen and an A.O.C.A. from the Ontario College of Art.  Astman has been active in the Toronto arts community and has sat on numerous boards and advisory committees.  She has been on faculty at the Ontario College of Art & Design since 1975 where she is a Professor in the Faculty of Art.  In 1995 a retrospective titled: Barbara Astman: Personal/Persona A 20-Year Survey Exhibition opened at the Art Gallery of Hamilton.  This exhibition toured the following year to three Canadian museums.  She is currently represented by the Jane Corkin Gallery in Toronto.  Her recent body of work, Paris Postcards was exhibited there in a solo show in September, 2001.

Astman has been involved in Public Art projects since the mid eighties.  In 1987, she completed a a 1,300 square foot inlaid floor installation for the Calgary Winter Olympics located in the Olympic Speed Skating Oval.  In 1993, the Bay Hayter Public Art Project was completed which incorporated custom leaf pavers for the south and east promenade.  The Simcoe Place Public Art Projects, 1994-95 incorporated two distinctive projects involving etched glass interior windows and a photographically etched glass interior sculpture.   Most recently, Astman has completed the Portal Project for Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care which is a site specific photographic mural installation for two series of six residence entrances.

Project Description:
I have created a photographic collage from my 1968 IHS yearbook, which shows the school, students and signage. I graduated in 1968, so it seems fitting to work with images from that year. I have incorporated an image of the school that also includes windows, tying in with the theme. I have consciously included both male and female students in the collage and choose to represent both sports and culture.