CHANTAL WESTBY
CW / Westby & Mercier 304 STUDIO
Based in Philadelphia, USA
E-mail: chantal@chantalwestby.art
Tel: +1 610 613 9619
Web: www.chantalwestby.com
Instagram: @chantal_westby_art
BIO
"The nature of life on Earth and the search for life elsewhere are two sides of the same question—the search for who we are."
Carl Sagan.
ABOUT
​Chantal Westby: Artist, storyteller, and educator​
Profile Summary: Chantal Westby is a dynamic and accomplished French-American visual artist born in France. Currently based in Philadelphia, Chantal is renowned for her boundary-pushing immersive art, which encompasses paintings, sculptures, and installations. Her work is deeply informed by her background in art, textiles, and design, and she uses socially engaged practices to create meaningful connections with audiences. Chantal is fervently committed to advocating for social and environmental causes, emphasizing the importance of diversity, inclusivity, and environmental awareness in her creations.
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Professional Summary: Chantal's work thrives at the intersection of creativity, visual culture, and civil engagement. She is dedicated to transforming museum environments, galleries, schools, universities, and public places into inclusive spaces that foster a sense of community and belonging. By collaborating with other artists and organizations, Chantal builds vibrant creative ecosystems throughout Philadelphia and beyond. Her artistic practice is defined by her mission to address critical issues such as climate change, social justice, and cultural diversity.
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Impactful Installations: Chantal's installations are powerful representations of the state of our environment, sparking important dialogues about climate issues and the urgency for action. Through her art, she invites viewers to reflect on their role in shaping a sustainable future.
Driven by Passion and Purpose
Endless Curiosity and Commitment Driven by boundless curiosity and an unwavering commitment to preserving the environment, Chantal Westby has dedicated three decades to "bearing witness" to the devastating impacts of climate change. Her work serves as a visual record of these explorations, inspired by visits to extreme environments around the world—from Haiti to the island's rainforests and coral reefs of Kauai and Costa RicaThrough her emotionally charged paintings, Chantal channels these experiences to ignite global solidarity in the fight to protect our shared ecosystem.

​Art and Narrative Fusion Westby's art is a powerful fusion of aesthetic beauty and scientific narrative. By integrating public engagement into her practice, she enriches the viewing experience with facts and personal stories, aiming to deepen the impact of her work. Her art is imbued with authenticity and purpose, inspiring civic awareness and action.
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Creating Visual Poetry "I wrestle with the language of ink and sculpture to develop new vocabulary—to craft visual poetry that draws you in, compels you to look closely, and then reveals certain ''painful facts," Westby explains. These "dark realities" come to life in her "Child of the World" sculpture, where she blends collaged elements with expressive abstraction. By juxtaposing beauty with adversity, Westby conveys the urgent and personal nature of the climate crisis. My work as an artist takes on its full meaning if I can humbly convince and sensibilize even one person to understand that our earth is being abused and that we must do all in our power to preserve it."
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A Call to Action: Westby's artistic practice is a tribute to our changing Earth and a call to action. However, her art transcends this mission; it goes beyond mere reason, driven by a deep-seated sensibility that transforms scientific data and environmental loss into an expressive and emotional experience.
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Mission and Core Values:
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Collaboration: Chantal believes that partnerships create a resilient, thriving, and joyous world. She actively engages with other artists and organizations to build inclusive, vibrant creative ecosystems throughout Philadelphia and beyond.
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Experimentation: Chantal values risk-taking as it leads to the freedom necessary for cultural transformation. She continuously explores daring, cross-disciplinary exhibition projects that defy expectations, disrupt traditional forms, and challenge the status quo. Her goal is to advance practices across the fields of art and culture.
Learning: Together with her collaborator, since 2017 with the French multimedia artist and photographer Lénaïc G. Mercier, they combine their two worlds to create immersive and interactive installations on these themes. Chantal believes that creative thinking is foundational to individual and collective growth. She is passionate about inspiring conversations across disciplines, ages, classes, races, and abilities, fostering an environment of continuous learning and innovation
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Awards and Recognitions:
· Awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by The United Nations Earth Day Impact Gala, hosted by The ECO Channel, on April 22, 2024, for her lifelong commitment and global activism towards environmental causes and climate action.
· Winner of various prizes in France and the US, including the prestigious first place and Art of the State from the State Museum of Pennsylvania in 2022 for her sculpture "Child of the World."
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Artistic Journey: Since moving to the United States from Paris 30 years ago, Westby's work has been shown in solo and group exhibitions in New York, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Osaka, Japan, Toronto, Switzerland, France, Paris, Cannes, Monaco, Lille, Nantes, Belgium, and Switzerland. It has also appeared in local, national, and international art publications.
She has had numerous exhibitions at venues like the State Museum of Pennsylvania, the SMSU Art Museum, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, the Annenberg Public Policy Center, UPenn, and the Human Impact Institute in New York, among others.
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Special Collaborative Projects:
· 2019: "Global Warning: An Interactive Exhibition," Alliance Française de Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
· 2019: "Living Art," a multimedia concept developed with Lénaïc G. Mercier
· 2017: "Fiat#Lux: An Immersive Exhibition," Agora Gallery, New York City, US
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EDUCATION
2006-2011 Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia - USA
2006-2011 Main Line Art Center, Haverford - USA
1978-1981 BFA, Ecole Supérieure de la Haute Couture, Paris - France
MAIN SOLO EXHIBITIONS
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​2025 Save the date August- October 2025 for our show at the Henry Gallery at Penn State Great Valley in Malvern PA.
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2024 October 10th at Academy Natural Science Philadelphia, Nomination for 2024 SustainPHL Awards And installation of immersive art ‘ Red Code for Humanity, The Anthropocene to the Pyrocene.
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2024, October « FRENCH ESSENCE » 8 renowned French and Francophone artists showcase art celebrating French heritage and Innovation! Alliance Francaise, Philadelphia. PA.
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2024, November “Dalian on The Park”, Dalian,
A three-day exhibition featuring works from five prominent Philadelphia artists. This event will showcase a diverse range of artistic styles and mediums, highlighting the vibrant art scene in Philadelphia. PA
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​2024” Shattered: A Visual Journey Through the Mind.” May 2–to June 2 .” Culture Lab LIC, 5-25 46th Ave., Queens, NYC
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2024 " The Forest" The human Impacts Institute New York , The Creative Climate Awards April 21st to May 20th. In Dumbo at 38 Washington Street, Brooklyn, NY
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2024 Risky Beauty: Aesthetics and Climate Change March 28th until May 30 Curated by Cynthia HavesonVeloric -At the Annenberg Public Policy Center, which is affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania. PA. USA
2023 Academy Natural Science Philadelphia, October 19th For GreenPhilly Exhibiting part one “Climate Change” Sculpture Child of the World and
4 murals sculptures.
2023 Chimera Gallery, from October 6th - October 28th, Curated by Neferteri Strickland; Philadelphia, PA- USA
2023 Sora West Art Fair, September 10, Conshohocken, PA 19428
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2023 Risky Beauty: Aesthetics and Climate Change Nurture Nature Center From April 14th to June 26th Curated by Cynthia HavesonVeloric - PA. USA
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2023 “InLiquid” Glass House + Meddow Philadelphia, Pa, July to August -USA This exhibition is made possible through the support of The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and The Penn Treaty Special Service District.
2022 "Art of the State", The State Museum of Pennsylvania, from August 2002 to January 2023 - Award first place / Sculpture "Child Of The World" - PA - USA
2022 Abington Art Center Pennsylvania, September 16th to October 24th / Curated by “Westby & Mercier"
2022 “Trenton Museum Society NJ. The 39th Ellarslie Open - USA
2022 “INLiquid” The annual ''New Now ''show, PA.- USA
2019 "Kaleidoscope" and "Akari", Ekko Galerie, Bordeaux - France
2019 "Global Warning", Alliance Française de Philadelphie, Philadelphia - USA
2019 "Incandescent", Delice & Chocolat, Ardmore - USA
2017 "Fiat#Lux - An Immersive Exhibition", Agora Gallery, New York City - USA
2016 "Akari - À l'Encre de mon Âme", Festival de Cannes - The Four Seasons l'Officiel Art Lounge, Cannes - France
2016 "After the Storm", Ringfeil Gallery, Haverford - USA
2016 "Kaleidoscope", Galerie Beau Soleil Espace Culturel, Monaco - France
2016 "Kaleidoscope", The Boscolo Palace Hotel, Nice - France
2015 Art Show, The Bazemore Galllery, Philadelphia - USA
2015 "After the Storm", E-Moderne Gallery, Philadelphia - USA
2015 "Light of Faith", The Bazemore Galllery, Philadelphia - USA
2015 "Akari", Galerie La Véranda Beausoleil, Monaco - France
2014 "Kaleidoscope", Galerie Loïc Vallée, Nantes, France
2013 "After the Storm", Majestic Hotel Festival de Cannes, Cannes - France
2013 “Kaléidoscope", B68 Galerie, Paris - France
2013 "Woman Mystery", PII Gallery, Philadelphia - USA
2012 "Wind And Air’’, Beauty Art Gallery, Newtown Square - USA
2012 “Light of Faith’’ Galerie des Beaux Arts de la Mairie,Valenciennes - France
2010 "The Apex of Transcendence", Agora Gallery, New York City - USA
2010 Nostology Gallery,
2010 Margot & Camille,
2009 Art Show, Main Line Art Center, Haverford - USA
MAIN GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2021 "Views", Dalian on the Park, Philadelphia - USA
2020 "Agility", Together We Art - Caritative Art Fair to the benefits of LP4Y, New York City - USA
2020 "Invisible Landscapes" , The ARTillerie Group, Bala Cynwyd - Curated by Maria Kraybill, Philadelphia - USA
2017 "Undefined Abstraction", SMSU Art Museum, Minnesota - USA
2016 "Asian Touch" Art Hamptons, Long Island - USA
2015 The Bazemore Galllery, Philadelphia - USA
2015 Expo Art Monaco, Monaco - France
2014 Salon "Business Art", Espace Pierre Cardin, Paris - France
2014 Emergent Art Fair, Grand Opera House, Washington DC - USA
2014 Art Osaka, Osaka - Japan
2014 The Moon Art, Festival de Cannes, Cannes - France
2014 Art Expo Toronto, Toronto, Canada
2012 “Kaléidoscope", Mag Art expo, Galerie SchopArt, Montreux - Suisse
2012 InLiquid Art Design, Pop-Up Gallery, Bryn-Mawr - USA
2012 Art Fair, Grand Opera House, Washington DC - USA
2012 Green Art
2011 Immaculata University Art Show, Malvern - USA
2010 Art Show, Bryn Mawr Trust, Bryn Mawr - USA
2010 Art Show, Merion Art Center, Merion - USA
SPECIAL PROJECTS
2019 "Global Warning - An Interactive Exhibition", Alliance Française de Philadelphie, Philadelphia - USA
2019 "Living Art", multimedia concept developed with Lénaïc G. Mercier
2017 "Fiat#Lux - An Immersive Exhibition", Agora Gallery, New York City, USA
MAIN PRESS REALEASES
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2023. My sculpture, "Point No Return," was highlighted in an article published in April 2023 by Anna Piecuch for The Brown & White newspaper
2023 Featured in the Artmajeur & Artsper
2022 ''Chantal Westby: Artist and Humanist!'' Interview with the Journal of the ArtsixMic
2020 La Voix du Nord
2019 Huffington Post France
2018 French Quarter Magazine
2017 The Brooklyn Rail
2016 Monaco Matin and Nice Matin
2015 La Voix du Nord
2014 Presse Océan
2014 Ouest France
2013 France Nord TV, l’Hebdo
2013 La Voix du Nord
2012 L’Observateur
2012 La Voix du Nord
2012 Art Is Spectrum, The Chelsea perspective
2012 Radio Campus France
TV APPEARANCES
2024 September: Filmed for three days for Belgian television, discussing my studio and the creative life of an artist.
2004 to 2012 "America, America" - French-Belgian documentary that explores my emergence as a contemporary painter (6 episodes)
2012 to 2013 Documentary film for French channel NRJ 12 (3 episodes)
2015 “Money Matters” - Interview “Art as an Investment"
2011 Philadelphia Public Television
2011 Bonnie Squires TV show
2011 “Money Matters” TV Show
PUBLICATIONS
2024: Published my biography in both French and English. Title: An Exceptional Destiny
2024: September Published a book titled ‘The Ocean, the Earth, Space, and Humanity’ – a work of art. Also featured in gallery albums showcasing our immersive art, sculptures, and paintings.
2024:: August Published another book titled ‘The Ocean, the Earth, Space, and Humanity’ – The Big Book Project,’ - a work of art highlighting the artistic career, philanthropic efforts, and activism within the community.
2017 Art E-Book "Fiat#Lux"
2016 Art Book "À l'Encre de mon Âme"
2015 Art Book "Akari"
2014 Art Book "Tryptiques"











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