Throughout their academic and artistic career, Samantha Wigglesworth has been deeply invested in queer activism.
“In 2016, alongside several high-school classmates, I co-founded the Pride Walk in my hometown, Fort St. John. This event, which continues to grow, has provided a visible platform for LGBTQ+ advocacy in a community where such representation is often scarce,” they explain.
This intersection of activism and art has remained a consistent theme in their work.
After graduating from high school, Wigglesworth attended the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), and due to the pandemic, completed three years of the undergraduate degree online from their hometown before finishing the final year in person.
“After earning my Bachelor of Fine Arts, I felt I had more to learn.”
This desire for continued education led them to pursue a Master of Fine Arts here at UBC Okanagan.
In July 2021, Wigglesworth held their first solo exhibition, “Spectrum,” a portrait series exploring diverse genders and sexualities. The exhibition aimed to normalize queer identities in a community where many had never encountered such representations.
Between their BFA and MFA, Wigglesworth received a grant from the BC Arts Council to create portraits of transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals as a form of visual activism. This work was shown on campus in the FINA Gallery in March 2025.
“By presenting these portraits, I hoped to prompt viewers to confront and ultimately reduce their biases. My artistic practice has consistently centered on queer identity, and this project laid the foundation for my graduate thesis, which continues to explore these themes,” they note.
Encouraged by their professors and supervisors at UBCO, Wigglesworth has started to experiment with new artistic forms.
“While my earlier work focused on realistic portraiture, I have recently embraced an abstract representational style, allowing me to convey deeper emotional experiences then what I think traditional portraiture might capture.”
Wigglesworth says that their creative process has evolved significantly since beginning the MFA program.
“In previous work, I started with a more analytical approach. Conceptualizing an idea, photographing my models – who are always people I know – and ensuring they understood how I intended to portray them. Now, my work is more intuitive and emotionally driven.”
This shift has led to a combination of realism and abstraction in their latest pieces, capturing a broader emotional spectrum and convey the complexities of queer experiences. Ultimately, their work seeks to challenge and expand perceptions of gender and sexuality, particularly in communities where such conversations remain limited.
“Through a combination of realism, abstraction, and emotional expression, I strive to create art that not only represents marginalized identities but also fosters empathy and understanding.”
Wigglesworth says that one of their most significant recent works, ‘Governed Flesh’ reflects their anxieties about the increasing threats to transgender rights both in the United States and Canada.
“During the creation of this series, I often listened to Trump’s speeches or heavy rock music to channel my emotional responses into the artwork,” they explain. “This raw, expressive approach has not only strengthened my thesis but has also allowed me to engage more intentionally and powerfully with themes of pain, resilience, and identity.”
Looking ahead, Wigglesworth aspires to continue practicing as a full-time artist while also pursuing a career as a professor, and says “As I continue my journey, I remain committed to using my art as a powerful tool for visibility, activism, and change.”
Beyond their thesis work, Wigglesworth engages in a variety of creative pursuits to maintain a balanced and sustainable artistic practice. These include lino cuts, collage-making, and clothing alterations—activities that provide both personal fulfillment and potential passive income.
“By diversifying my artistic output, I aim to prevent burnout and ensure a holistic engagement with my craft.”