Brett Zü spent his childhood moving around the Fraser Valley’s Bible Belt and Vancouver Island. Despite a home which did not nurture art, Brett’s uncle introduced a doodle game which stimulated their creative eye, imagination, and continues to play a big part in Brett’s projects. Art teachers at high school in Chilliwack were also a huge inspiration. Brett became a working family man for three decades, only deciding to become a full time artist in 2021. He adapted the German spelling of the last name Zü because it looked like a ‘happy face,’ and playfully refers to art installations around the city as ‘Zü art.’

 

Brett sees creative potential in everything, “Everything that I make is 95% found stuff.” Over the last 2 years his materials have been broken down pallets and found or gifted paints.  They also love charcoal, and can often be found with a sketchbook at English Bay or Siwash Rock. While still young, Brett used art to begin their exploration of questions such as: Why am I here? What is my purpose? Will I be remembered?

 

Brett’s recent experience with homelessness “totally helped evolve the way” he makes art.