Three Women

The project Three Women centers on the creative lives of Susanna Bauer, Bernadette Greuel and Sister Maureen Maier. I came to know them while living in the tiny farming community of Bruno, Saskatchewan (population 600). All three of them grew up in rural Saskatchewan and each succeeded in forging a unique path within a place and at a time where their options were limited. For all three the surrounding landscape is intrinsic to her existence. Bernadette writes and recites poetry inspired by her role as a mother and farmer’s wife. Susanna makes art from whatever she finds around her - whether it’s pinecones, seeds, bark, feathers or roadkill. Sr Maureen works tirelessly to help preserve the history of her prairie sisterhood. She recently authored the book Women of Service for the Glory of God: Ursulines of Bruno and she’s largely responsible for saving the environment that she felt saved her: the convent where she became a nun at age 18. While these three women are strongly defined by rural life, what gives them their voice also nearly renders them invisible in its vastness; they are simultaneously restricted by it and inspired by it. Rather than allow themselves to be devoured by isolation and tradition they’ve used resourcefulness and determination to surpass expectation. Until now their audience has been small; my goal is to expand it.