Discover the artists of the Student Showcase

About the Artist 

Description of your creative process:

In my process, I enjoy working on large-scale work that allows for movement throughout the piece. I try to be bold and confident with my brushwork, to allow the process to be seen in the finished work. My work often includes exaggerated human figures as subjects. I allow the painting to direct me as the artist instead of attempting to control the outcome of the works I create.

A bit about yourself:

I am presently in my fourth and final year in my BFA. I enjoy creating large-scale oil paintings with exaggerated representations of the human anatomy to communicate my creative vision.

If you could meet any artist dead or living, who would it be?

If I could meet any artist dead or living, I would choose to meet British painter Cecily Brown. Her works motivate me to work on large-scale surfaces and the energy she communicates with her paintings is exciting and inspiring.

How has the visual arts department helped shape you as an artist?

The University of Ottawa’s visual arts department has allowed me to continue to explore and grow my creative process. With the aid of the professors and other students, I have been able to experience a variety of mediums, grow my passion and establish my artistic identity.

About the Artist

Description of your creative process:

This piece was made on medium format colour film with minimum camera manipulation and the incorporation of performance and the interaction with the projected image in mind. The work will be finished on photographic canvas and in a classical frame spray-painted to a rusty green to reinforce a sense of abandonment as, within ethnic households, it’s not encouraged to address imposter syndrome.

A bit about yourself:

I am a Taiwanese photo-based artist residing in Ottawa, Canada. I dedicate my work to the navigation of self through the theme of solitude and express my interest in feminism as a means to examine the obscure relationship between identity and gender within the contemporary context of womanhood. My works have been included in exhibitions by Ottawa-based zine Do It For The Grain, SPAO and Analog Forever, as well as in a number of private collections.

If you could meet any artist dead or living, who would it be?

Growing up in a digital age, I have gotten to explore and connect with more artists that I could ever imagine. But a couple of living artists that I would absolutely love to meet are Palestinian-Jordanian-Australian artist Sarah Bahbah, and German artist Tarek Mawad. They are both lens-based artists I am inspired by, particularly for the cinematic quality and the attention to human forms in their work from different artist approaches.

How has the visual arts department helped shape you as an artist?

The faculty of the visual art department have helped me think and work more critically towards my practice during the past couple of semesters. As an emerging lens-based artist, I am looking forward to incorporating more sculpture and installation to strengthen my work.
 

About the Artist

Description of your creative process:

I explore the expressive possibilities of lines and strokes, whilst exercising restraint in colour. I do not strive for illusionistic manipulations. In lines, I strive to capture an essence and life energy of the world I inhabit.
I draw on location, intuitively and with a sense of urgent immediacy, without initial sketches or outlines, embracing the spontaneity of lines. My esthetic sensibilities were informed early in my life by Chinese scroll paintings, in particular, an ancient Chinese painting practice termed baimiao, whereby monochrome paintings were realized through finely controlled ink line contours, free from colourful embellishments.
 

A bit about yourself:

This was meticulously done over the course of two weeks, as I worked from direct observation, capturing the scene at the same hour each day under the same light conditions. It is an homage to naturalism and the western painting tradition.
 

If you could meet any artist dead or living, who would it be?

Pan Yuliang (1895–1977). She was a Chinese-French painter. Born and raised in China of modest background, she lost both her parents and was sold into a brothel as a young girl. Against all odds, and by her own indestructible spirit and talent, she eventually ended up in Paris, studying and practising art there. Her remains are buried in the Montparnasse cemetery in Paris.
 

How has the visual arts department helped shape you as an artist?

It introduced me to a variety of methods and means of making art, such as film photography. It encourages all students to explore a wide array of art-making possibilities.

 

About the Artist

Description of your creative process:
This work was inspired by a photo I took while walking in a new area one night. It was created for a class where every week there was a new technique or idea to work into the painting to create a narrative of change. The atmosphere is intended to feel creepy and unsafe, and for the building to glow in an unnatural way.

A bit about yourself:

I am currently finishing my third year in the BFA program, and anticipating my final year with a lot of excitement. I am inspired by the world around me, reshaping what I see into strange and unsettling scenes that create feelings of isolation, unease and disbelief. My aim with my art is to give viewers a chance to see the world through my eyes, and experience my own feelings of loneliness and wonder in day to day life.

If you could meet any artist dead or living, who would it be?

I would love to meet Adriana Varejão. Tiles have become a very common motif in my works over the past year, and I often wonder if coming across her works had a hand in inspiring that. From a visual standpoint, works that include the beauty of handmade tiles and the gore of flesh and blood come together in such an amazing way. Also, the thoughts behind her works are very deep and interesting and I would love to hear her talk about it.

How has the visual arts department helped shape you as an artist?

The visual arts department has helped me through giving me the space to grow and guiding me along a path to create for myself. In the first two years of school, there was structure to help put me into the place I needed to be to have the creative freedom I have now. I know that my final year will bring a lot of growth for me and I am optimistic about my future in the arts as result of my education.
 

About the Artist

Description of your creative process:

It begins with inspiration sparked by the world around me, emotions or esthetics. Next comes ideation, where concepts are formed and refined through sketching, brainstorming or research. Then, I select materials and mediums best suited to bring my vision to life. With each stroke or gesture, the artwork evolves, guided by intuition and experimentation. Challenges may arise, leading to revisions and adaptations, but perseverance creates progress.

A bit about yourself:

My artworks invite viewers to immerse themselves in a world of imagination and emotion. My paintings are crafted with explicit colour, texture and composition.

If you could meet any artist dead or living, who would it be?

If I had the opportunity, I would choose to meet John Singer Sargent. His ability to capture the essence and personality of his subjects through his masterful portraiture is unparalleled. I would love to learn from him about his approach to painting, his techniques for capturing light and shadow, and his experiences working with some of the most prominent figures of his time.

How has the visual arts department helped shape you as an artist?

The visual arts department has really helped me grow as an artist. Under the guidance of Cara Tierney, I’ve been encouraged to embrace self-expression fully, pushing the boundaries of my creativity to produce intricate artworks that surpass my previous limitations. Jennifer Macklem's influence has steered me towards a more contemporary approach, encouraging me to explore innovative techniques rather than solely adhering to tradition. Through their mentorship, I’ve discovered my unique spark in art, igniting a passion for experimentation and self-discovery that continues to fuel my artistic growth.
 

About the Artist

Description of your creative process:

After deciding on the theme of my portrait, I took some reference photos of myself to use for the piece. I drew a grid on my paper prior to starting the painting, so the proportions would be accurate. In order to create a detailed portrait, I blocked out rough shapes and colours, building up the layers to create complex colours and add fine details. 

A bit about yourself:

I am a first-year student at uOttawa working to complete my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. I am a visual artist, and my preferred medium is painting and drawing/illustration.  I have had a passion for art since I was a child and took painting courses all through high school. I am still deciding on the career I would like to pursue, but I would love to work in the illustration field.

If you could meet any artist dead or living, who would it be?

Alai Ganuza is an artist whose works I discovered on social media. She paints still lifes using oil paint and digital media and uses bright, vivid colours to enhance her original reference photographs. I admire her work and would love to meet her in person one day.

How has the visual arts department helped shape you as an artist?

The visual arts department has been very helpful towards my development as an artist. For example, I am working with media that I have not previously used, such as film photography, video art and metalworking. The professors have helped me to develop my art skills by offering feedback and allowing me to explore my ideas. I also enjoy the group critiques in the studio courses, as it is an amazing experience to see my classmates’ pieces and be able to discuss them.

About the Artist

Description of your creative process:

I wanted to create an artwork about life’s greatest, smallest joys: getting a little silly with it and appeasing your inner child. I made several paper drafts and several digital collages, then colour-blocked the canvas with spray paint and detailed in acrylic overtop. The orangutan, caption and branches were cut out of one of my sketches. Poem by Wendy Cope. Graffiti quotes by friends in the studio during the creation process.

A bit about yourself:

When I don’t make art, I feel like less of myself. Creation is a central part of my identity. I grew up around a variety of inspiringly successful creatives, who helped nurture my ambition and creativity. I have always painted and drawn, and am learning to experiment with mediums outside my comfort zone.

If you could meet any artist dead or living, who would it be?

My great-grandfather was an artist, and I have a landscape painting of his. I have a million questions about it, and about him and my family. Two birds.

How has the visual arts department helped shape you as an artist?

Working in the visual arts department has allowed me to focus my energy on creating in a way I’ve never been able to before. The community in the visual arts building is palpable and is full of familiar faces asking each other about their in-progress artworks and enthusiastically building each other up. It’s creatively encouraging.
 

About the Artist 

Description of your creative process:

I used an orange acrylic paint to tone the canvas and used the same colour to create an underpainting of the landscape. I painted two layers of oil paint on top. The first was just to apply the base layers while the second was to add in the paint brush marks to make this look like wind brushing through the landscape.

A bit about yourself:

I have made art from a young age because it has always been my passion. I am currently an art instructor and plan to continue that journey after school, as well train to become a tattoo artist. I like to make art about issues in the world, especially climate change/pollution, but my art manifests from many different avenues of interest like love, nature and small moments in time, or simple fascinations like portraits or figures.  

If you could meet any artist dead or living, who would it be?

I would love to meet Vincent Van Gogh because he has been and always will be one of my favourite artists.

How has the visual arts department helped shape you as an artist?

The visual arts department has shaped me as an artist by allowing me to have the time and space to try new mediums and create pieces I never would have been able to make without them. I have grown a liking towards sculpting and want to continue working in this format. I have been able to advance my painting skills, such as using different types of paints, painting new subject matter and developing different styles of painting, which helps me become versatile within my practice. 
 

About the Artist

Description of your creative process:

Originally created for a painting class, I infused my personal style into the traditional genre of still life painting.

A bit about yourself:

I am a third-year student pursuing my BFA, and I find joy in the simplicities of art. For me, art is not just a pursuit but a deeply personal source of enjoyment and self-expression. I have a profound passion for teaching others and aspire to impart my knowledge to future generations.

If you could meet any artist dead or living, who would it be?

Paul Cézanne, as he revolutionized the art world and paved the way for future generations of artists. Meeting him would allow individuals to gain a deeper understanding of his place in art history and the impact of his innovative style on artistic movements.

How has the visual arts department helped shape you as an artist?

The visual art department provided me with the ideal environment to express my artistic talents fully. With access to amazing facilities and supportive faculty, I could immerse myself in my craft, continuously grow as an artist and explore new techniques and mediums.
 

About the Artist

Description of your creative process:

After months of sticking to the camera, I returned to portraiture on paper. This drawing was a result of me grasping at a memory of a distant dream featuring an even more distant figure.

A bit about yourself:

I’m a Somali-Cambodian artist using painting, photography and drawing to explore themes of identity and the notion of bodily memory. I find inspiration through the banalities of life and the subconscious, often expressed through a synthesis of abstraction and portraiture.

If you could meet any artist dead or living, who would it be?

Richard Bunkall, the Californian painter who created brooding, atmospheric landscapes that allow a lot of self-reflection.

How has the visual arts department helped shape you as an artist?

It has provided me with a great community of like-minded creatives who strive to support and inspire each other, which has helped not only my artistic growth but my growth as a person.
 

About the Artist 

A bit about yourself:

I am in my third year in the BFA program. While acrylic painting is my main focus, I also practise various other media like photography and graphic design. I am from Sudbury, Ontario, and have lived in Ottawa for over a year now. Living in this city is something I would credit to the direction that both my personal and artistic lives have travelled, since new environments give me room to explore and find new opportunities/inspirations. Aside from visual arts, I have a strong love of music, and when I graduate, I plan to seek out a tattoo apprenticeship.

If you could meet any artist dead or living, who would it be?

I would choose Jean-Paul Riopelle, specifically near the end of his career. As someone who works in abstraction, I find his style impressive, since it’s geometric yet remains fluid. I once saw an exhibit that contained work from his entire career. Therefore, if I met him at the end, I would ask how he thought changing mediums and technique would affect both his views of his own work and how it would be received, which is a fear I have about my art. Riopelle also has a successful way of using total or partial abstraction to discuss real-life subjects.

How has the visual arts department helped shape you as an artist?

The most important thing I have learned from the program is that it’s okay and encouraged to be changing many ways while creating. Before, I was convinced that in order to have an established platform, consistency is everything (medium, messages, palette, etc.), and that changing these things would ruin my “specific style” which separated me from others. My professors have helped me embrace changing styles and to experiment with new mediums, which has shifted me from still life to abstraction, where I feel free to create what I want, and also being adaptable to change again for assignments/exhibition possibilities.
 

About the Artist

Description of your creative process

The process of creating this painting was interesting because it was an assignment from the class, so the painting changed direction three times during the process in order to meet the requirements of the class's narrative theme assignment, resulting in an element of spontaneity and drama that can be seen in this work.
 

A bit about yourself 

I am a junior in Bachelor of Fine arts. My drawing style is probably more cartoonish and dramatic. I am also trying to make a breakthrough in the realistic style. Self-identity and traditional culture are my main creative directions.
 
 
If you could meet any artist dead or alive, who would it be?

Yayoi Kusama.
 

How has the Visual Arts department helped shape you as an artist?

I feel like both the studioclass and the art history classes have made me feel like I'm refining my self-awareness in art one step at a time. More than an orderly and gradual dissection of what my own art means to me, I am also slowly learning step by step how I can accomplish the art I want to make.