Ann Piché: “i don’t do math”

D.G. Ivey Library | New College | University of Toronto

loop the loop © Ann Piché

Ann Piché: “i don’t do math”

September 25 – October 15, 2025
Opening Reception: Thursday, September 25, 5pm
Exhibition Tour: Saturday, September 27, 2pm (We will meet at the Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences and walk over to D.G. Ivey Library)
D.G. Ivey Library | New College | University of Toronto

Panel Discussions: Monday, September 29, 4pm and Thursday, October 16, 10am
The Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences, Toronto
Further Information and Registration

Exhibition Statement

“i don’t do math” is a photographic exploration of dyscalculia and the unseen struggle with numeracy.

Numbers are part of daily life – from passwords and prices to bus timetables and bank balances. For many, navigating this world is effortless. For others, it is an invisible struggle.

Dyscalculia, a learning difference that affects the ability to understand and process numbers, is as common as dyslexia, yet far less recognized. Too often mistaken for carelessness or lack of intelligence, it shapes a person’s life, limiting opportunities and impacting both mental and physical well-being. Early recognition and awareness are vital, opening the door to support, confidence, and long-term empowerment.

This series re-imagines abstract mathematical formulae into tactile, black-and-white imagery, making the invisible struggle visible. Translating unfamiliar equations into the familiar form of a photograph, the work invites viewers to consider the human side of numeracy – not as an impassable barrier, but as a deeply personal and often unseen experience.

fern © Ann Piché

Consisting of photographic images and text-based panels, the series includes works created during fieldwork visits to courses at the Departments of Mathematics at the University of Toronto and York University.

About the Artist

Ann Piché is a photo-based artist working in Ottawa. Drawing on her experience as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) first female electronic technician, she constructs visual links between science and the arts. Using light and motion, her images are created in camera; acting as accessible entry points to the less familiar.

A graduate of the School of the Photographic Arts: Ottawa, Ann is a recipient of grants from the Ontario Arts Council and the City of Ottawa. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. She has been published in North American magazines such as PhotoEd and Shots.

About D.G. Ivey Library | New College | University of Toronto

Founded in 1962, New College is one of the seven colleges of the University of Toronto’s St. George campus. Its library, the D. G. Ivey Library, contains over 35,000 volumes in circulating and reference collections in the social sciences and other fields. Special collections focus on New College programs in African Studies, Caribbean Studies, Disability Studies, Equity Studies, and Women and Gender Studies.

D.G. Ivey Library
20 Willcocks Street
Toronto, ON M5S 1A1
newcollege.library@utoronto.ca
(416) 978-2493
Website | Instagram

Accessibility: The D.G. Ivey Library is accessible. Please contact the library for further information.

About The Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences

Established in 1992, The Fields Institute is a hub for mathematical research, bringing together mathematicians from Canada and abroad across academia, industry, and finance. It promotes mathematics in Canada and supports its applications in modern society.

The Fields Institute
222 College Street
Toronto, ON M5T 3J1
inquiries@fields.utoronto.ca
(416) 348-9710
Website | Instagram

Accessibility: The Fields Institute is accessible.

Support for this exhibition and its satellite events has been provided by New College, NewOne: Learning without Borders program, the Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences, and the Jackman Humanities Institute. I also gratefully acknowledge the collaboration from the Departments of Mathematics at the University of Toronto and York University.