Marija Rebekka Kanavin Gutans (She/Her, b. 1996) is a Norwegian-Latvian visual artist, born and raised in Norway. She holds a BFA with a major in photography from Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver. 

As a communicator, she is interested in contemporary social issues and fascinated with the relationship between the world around her and how people belong within their own histories. She is a strong believer in the power of storytelling and photographs as tools to ignite social change. Her educational experiences have skilled her to become a critical and respective storyteller and change-maker for peace, using her ears and camera as her instruments. 

Education

2022-2023   Master's of Arts, International Peace Studies with specialisation in Media, Peace and Conflict Studies,

University for Peace - UN-mandated, Costa Rica

2015-2020   Bachelor of Fine Arts, Emily Carr University of Art & Design, Vancouver, Canada

2018             Bachelor of Fine Arts, Ringling College of Art and Design, Florida, USA 

           Semester exchange student.

2013-2015   Mahindra United World College India, International baccalaureate

Exhibitions

2021 To Stay Related, Nextdoor - Slice of Life, Vancouver, Canada

2020   The Grad Show, Emily Carr University of Art & Design, Online

2020   Reading and Being Read, Capture Photo Festival, Vancouver, Canada 

2020     We are a lighthouse, Student Exhibition, Michael O'Brian Exhibition Commons, Vancouver, Canada

2019     There and Back, Student Exhibition, Michael O'Brian Exhibition Commons, Vancouver, Canada

Publications and Features

2022 Magasinet Fotografi, “Lesernes portfolio: Marija Rebekka Kanavin Gutans”, Issue No. 2

2020 Booooooom, “The hands before me by Photographer Marija Kanavin”

2020 Blodfersk, “The hands before me”

Awards

2015     Emily Carr University International Tuition Fee Entrance Scholarship