Our sense of smell is a gateway to how we experience the world. Yet most of us underestimate its importance. In fact, in a U.S. survey, only 2% of people said they would miss their sense of smell the most out of the five senses if they were to lose it.
For some Canadians, living without a sense of smell is a stark reality
There are conditions that can rid someone of their sense of smell, including chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), a chronic, inflammatory condition that leads to difficulty breathing, nasal congestion and loss of taste and smell. For those affected, CRSwNP means the possibility of losing not only the ability to smell and taste but also the emotional memories that are so important to us as human beings.
Bringing scent memories to life
Memories Created was developed to show Canadians the importance of the sense of smell and how it affects a person’s quality of life.
We asked Canadians to share a story that is inherently linked to smell. The stories we heard brought listeners back to familiar and relatable moments in time: a mother’s holiday cooking, the familiar scent of a father’s cologne after a long workday, the salty sea air that evokes a blissful honeymoon.
To highlight the significance of smell in relation to memory, we partnered with three local Canadian artists to reimagine common remembrances into vivid works of art.
Memories Created showcases the intrinsic link between memory and scent, visualizing this vital connection to help Canadians realize the impact the sense of smell has on creating and maintaining our most treasured memories.
Learn the stories behind the artwork
SOFT HEART
For Sharon, the scent of motor oil evokes her dad, an industrial mechanic. To bring these sense memories to life, artist Tyler Keeton Robbins used colourful, sweeping gesticular patterns to conjure the soft-hearted essence of Sharon’s late father.
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LEARNING TO FLY
The thought of indoor ice rinks instantly transports Jeff back to middle school field trips spent “smelling what it feels like to fly.” Inspired by these sense memories, artist Ryan Helstern created a surrealist pop art piece that brilliantly captures the nostalgia of cheery days relishing concession hot dogs, downing watery hot chocolate and gliding through the crisp air on skates.
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Taste of Home
Sweet, comforting and joyful are the memories that awaken for Sylvia upon recalling the smell of her late mother’s New Year’s Eve meatballs. For his interpretative piece, artist Marc-Oliver Lamothe took a playful, graphic approach to bringing these deeply vivid and emotional recollections to life.
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