2024 DP Visual Art Exhibition

AONAIBH RI CHÉILE, HA ВУЛИЦЯХ

Talulla Cameron

This exhibition is based on the concept of maintaining the relevance of traditional and cultural art forms through modernization and using current techniques to create something socially and culturally relevant. I used a variety of materials while exploring this concept, and I found that the techniques themselves are often textile-related, and the concepts and styles, such as the Russian Avant-Garde movement, are often shown in paintings and sculptures. Being Ukrainian and Scottish I have grown up with connections to both cultures, but I chose to put more focus on my Ukrainian side, as I have more knowledge of the practices and art forms. My Dad’s family is from Scotland and due to his passing a few years ago, unfortunately, I am not as involved in that side of my heritage as I once was.

The idea for this exhibition came after the start of the active conflict between Russia and Ukraine in February of 2022. I wasn’t as knowledgeable about Ukrainian culture as I felt I should be, so I turned to learning traditional art forms as a way to connect. While learning these traditions is important, I didn’t simply want to copy pre-existing designs. This is where the idea of modernizing traditional techniques came from. I took traditional techniques and clothing such as the beaded Babushka scarf and turned it into a knit balaclava with beaded panels. This piece contains important elements of the scarf while being a modern and “socially acceptable” piece of clothing.

DEAR ART

Marcus Chan

My body of work all follows themes of escapism, nostalgia, and imagination. My pieces are all related to significant things in my life. Characters, places, or things I used for escapism. I always focused on or used different things in the past through my childhood and even until present to escape stress, problems, and conflicts in my life. Throughout my life I’ve moved through different art styles, and the order of pieces follows each style I focused on throughout eras of my life, beginning with black and white pencil on paper, moving to bright colours and markers on construction paper, acrylic on canvas, then finally digital mediums. By approaching my own life with reflection, I translated my personal methods of escapism to art. To viewers the art should be able to draw them in with the vibrant colours and details, distracting them from the outside world and allowing them a taste of how I felt as a kid with escapism.

My exhibition seeks to explore my personal life, and subjectivity within the arts. Personally art has always been my escape, always has been my instinctive go to. I was drawn in by the ability to translate an idea or concept from my imagination and depict it as artwork. However, as I progressed in my artistic journey, I didn’t like to visit galleries as a child, I never liked to learn about the history, and I never understood why everything needed to be a statement on a greater issue. For me, art was purely about the process, making art just to make art, and creating something inherently visually appealing. Without a doubt I could identify the feelings viewing other art gave me, but it took away from the fact I used art as escapism. Each artwork was chosen to represent the different medium I explored throughout my life. Each artwork is indicative of a primary passion or focus during the period of life it represents for me.

Exploring my exhibition in a window into my personal life, my thoughts and my motivations. Selecting my works was both personal, and complex.

DISSECTION

Sienna Cheung

My pieces all evolve from the basis of changes, experiences, and feelings experienced throughout growing up. As I am reaching the end of my childhood, I wanted to create my art as a chance to reflect on how I have evolved and how I stayed the same. My body of work displays this through the distortion of the body. My artwork predominantly features my own body, creating vulnerability and honesty between me and the viewer. Although a variety of materials and media were used throughout the works, creating a piece digitally is something that I have done multiple times throughout the exhibition whether the piece itself was completely digital or if digital elements were incorporated into a physical piece. I enjoy digital media and feel confident in it. Other media I explored were multimedia collages, sculptural work, acrylic paint, and oil pastel.

All my pieces revolve around the body. As my works revolve around development and growth through emotions and experiences, it was fitting that I presented that through the body. Throughout my pieces, the body has been distorted anatomically by revealing visceral, exaggerating proportions, and creating displays of vulnerability. The exhibition is formatted like a “dissection”. The concept behind the first pieces are relatively simple, problems I’ve experienced that are visible to anyone who looks. It is like the skin. As the exhibition progresses, the concepts of my pieces become more complex the deeper. These pieces are like the muscles and guts of the exhibition “Dissection”.

Although the pieces are about me and my life, I want the viewer to reflect and have their own “self dissection”. While understanding the meaning behind my exhibition, I hope the viewer thinks about their own lives and how they have grown and changed.

DAILY LIFE

Josh Haughian

I wanted all of my pieces to explore the theme of daily experiences in real life. An artist’s work is from the expression of their thoughts and emotions. I made the art very personal with aspects of things that relate to who I am as a person. The emotions can be perceived in the art with different techniques I used to show my thoughts. I chose specific things that I liked and disliked as a way for me to have self-expression. My exhibit explores my favourite sport, music, social issues, nature and more. My pieces Your Knowledge Is Your Bias, Schoolwork Stress, New Driver and Manifestation display the duality of success and struggles. The artist who profoundly inspired me is Barbara Krueger. This artist uses the aesthetics of their artistic expression to convey their message in their art. A few of my pieces are similar to hers as I used the same layering techniques for my collages. I used several different art media such as sculpture, drawings, collages and paintings. I chose these as the message is conveyed to the viewer in many ways. The materials I used varied from basic acrylic paint on canvas to found object materials that were in my closet. Using several different materials represents the diversity and complexity of daily life as there is always a variety of experiences. I have exhibited my artwork in a way that the audience will find visually appealing. For my exhibit, I clustered the pieces that related more next to each other.

My artistic endeavour has focused on the exploration of everyday experiences, filled with my thoughts and emotions. Having inspiration from artists I’ve utilized various techniques and mediums. Through careful curation and presentation, I’ve aimed to create an exhibition that captivates the viewer, inviting them to delve into the layers of meaning behind each piece.

STARE INTO THE SUN

Uma Kesting

As an ode to the intimate, in-between moments of girlhood, this body of work aims to explore the sacredness of femininity and the way our subconscious mind influences every aspect of our lives. The integration of female forms into my work illustrates my transition between girlhood and womanhood. Motifs of the female body show up in three pieces; Eternally in This Body, Orchid, and When the Lilacs Bloom. Organic biological shapes and growth appear in Eternally in This Body, Swamp Romp, and Sway.

With When the Lilacs Bloom the delicate, floral fabrics of the outside of the tent represent girlhood, and juxtapose the red, flesh-like interior, showing a different, equally wonderful side of being a woman. Orchid, inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe celebrates female sexuality, a notoriously stigmatized topic. With Eternally in This Body, the dress represents my physical form, while the mold growth is metaphorical for mental health struggles. The relationship between the two components in the piece represents how our thoughts influence every other aspect of our lives. Additionally, Botanical and biological shapes and textures are present in most of my pieces, using techniques such as stitching, layering of materials, and overly ripe colors. Vancouver’s rainforests, ocean, and fungi heavily inspire me, and naturally, they found a way to appear in my artworks. Swamp Romp was inspired by a spot at my favorite park, Trout Lake. The painting consists mainly of muted and ripe colors, with a few pops of green, representing the distinct shifting of seasons, and metaphorically, life stages. Sway is a more abstract approach to appreciating Vancouver’s beauty, inspired by the tides and stars. This piece highlights the natural ebbs and flows of life, and the beauty of allowing your emotions to be fluid.

TURN BACK TIME

Natalie Lillico

My art pieces and theme have changed throughout this course however, the overall theme that can be seen in my artworks is the concept of past vs present specifically presenting family stories. When approaching this theme I really wanted to look closely into my family stories, photos and records. I started looking at old photos of cities and comparing them to the present day reality. However, my concept expanded. I wanted my body of work to be more personal. I dived into my family history and looked back on their stories and memories but also considered this through a contemporary lens. This is where I began to formulate a variety of ideas based on my family history and ways to present these stories accurately. Many of my art pieces contain original photos of my family history and symbols that link to their stories.

Each one of my pieces is a separate family story or idea that I created into an art piece. I wanted to depict one family story for each art piece. My pieces will be arranged according to the area of the family member or event. I want to arrange the piece as if it were a photo album of stories. Because the concept revolves around time I believe that this arrangement would be best fitted for the viewer as they will be able to distinguish which stories relate to each other and which family member contains the story. I hope to give them a better insight to the importance of sharing family stories and the impact it has on individuals. The arrangement of the pieces will help the viewer understand the majority of time periods I explored as well as the comparison of past to present.

One of the most important elements I want to convey with this exhibition is the visual impact part of my pieces. Because many of my pieces are parts of my family history, I want the viewers to feel impacted as they get an insight to all my family history. My hope is as they look through my bodies of work they will be able to feel a sense of connection as they may reflect on their own family history or memories. My body of work represents where I came from and a part of who I am.

變遷 (TRANSFORMATION)

Nick Niermeier

Since moving to Canada from Hong Kong (HK) in 2022, I have formed an outsider’s perspective towards my home-country, and struggled to find my identity as bi-racial, feeling a lack of acceptance from both cultures. In the presentation of this body of work, the audience will become engaged in the disillusionment induced after moving countries. I display this through nostalgic memories in HK, societal parallels and contrasts, pop culture, the significance of everyday objects, and more. Through the presentation of my exhibition on three walls - two parallel - the narrative shifts from my Chinese to Canadian experiences, using The Arrival as the turning point for my move to Canada. To begin and end my exhibition, the focus is on reflection. The title of the exhibition is 變遷, meaning transformation, as a reflection on the evolving nature of cultural identity.

When viewing this exhibition I hope the audience can learn more of the experiences I had in HK, since one perspective shift I had when moving to Vancouver was how one-dimensional the picture many people had of life in HK. I believe culture is meant to be shared, not kept exclusive to those inside the community, which this exhibition achieves. I struggled with including stereotypes in my exhibition. I aimed to avoid reinforcing reductive views of my culture, yet ignoring them entirely wouldn’t accurately document my journey, as they’ve influenced both public perceptions of Asians and my own self-concept. My ultimate decision to include pieces about stereotypes such as academic overachieving in A Culture of Exhaustion and The Hornworm was to spark dialogue and critical reflection on the complexities of cultural identity and representation. By confronting these stereotypes headon within the context of my own experiences, I aim to challenge preconceived notions and invite viewers to question their own assumptions.

The Gallery

PERSPECTIVE

Nika Pessione

The concept I wanted to explore with this piece was the impact of normative beauty standards on identity. I used a number of different mediums and techniques to investigate this topic. E xploring the theme within the context of social beauty standards connected with my living experiences has been a journey especially growing up as a girl, I wanted to imply these experiences in my pieces. The challenge or pervasive influence of societal norms on my self-perception, using various mediums as a means of expression, to cultivate these emotions and perspectives. My artwork aims to challenge the conventions that begin to ossify around what counts as conventional beauty and to consider what else might be considered beautiful. The motivation to delve into this theme arises from a personal connection to the struggles individuals face in reconciling their authentic selves with the societal expectations placed upon them. The theme of identity, particularly as it intertwines with social beauty standards, captivates my imagination due to its profound impact on shaping perceptions of self-worth, and influencing dynamics. By using multiple different materials, it allows me to portray the emotional nuances and complexities of identity, using neutral colours, abstract shapes, and textures to convey internal and external conflicts. By incorporating Sculptures, I find it adds a tactile dimension, inviting viewers to engage in the exploration of identity and beauty physically. Through this artistic exploration, I aim to dismantle the rigid constraints imposed by social beauty standards, fostering a more inclusive understanding of identity. By delving into the emotional and psychological impact of societal norms on self-perception, I hope to evoke empathy and introspection, encouraging viewers to question preconceived notions and embrace the diversity that makes each authentically beautiful.

WALKING THE BORDERLINE

Ruby Peterson

This exhibition delves into life after my 2021 diagnosis of emerging borderline personality disorder, aiming to highlight the impact of mental illness on daily life. Through diverse mediums, including 3D pieces like Genesis, I depict the multifaceted responses and coping strategies to mental health challenges. Escapist portrays the turmoil and distress my diagnosis caused, while Stay Out! illustrates the paranoia and fear that often accompany BPD, leading to isolation and depression. Two Crows on the Fence explores the importance of community in overcoming addiction, as feeding neighborhood crows provided a sense of belonging amidst struggles with socialization and isolation. Inspired by manga artist Jjunko Mmizuno, The Cuckoo Bug delves into the loss of self associated with BPD and explores gender identity struggles. Contrasting Mizuno’s themes of power and erotica, it reflects feelings of discomfort and displacement. Genesis shifts focus towards progress and healing, acknowledging the journey and reflecting on the struggles overcome. They serve as a testament to resilience and growth amidst the challenges of BPD.

BIG VEINS, DOG BAIT

Poppy Philbrook

Despite my artwork displaying a wide range of concepts, the overlapping motif is the depth of the human psyche. Fascinated with the moments of my life that have made me who I am today, my pieces aim to speak on the unspeakable - how the human brain functions remains shrouded in mystery due to man’s inability to translate specific emotions and trains of thought into words. Much of my work focuses on life-altering experiences such as moving at a young age, medical diagnoses, and expressions of identity, all tying my work to its main inspiration; the brain.

I aimed for my exhibition space to resemble what it would be like to hook my brain up to a visual translator, my display is arranged by this observation. When viewers move through the space as intended, the artworks grow in depth, with my pieces focusing on surface-level concepts such as identity being placed at the entrance. Contrastingly, the final pieces of my exhibition delve into childhood experiences and traumas. Keeping my presentation organized by depth defined through the motif of the human psyche, viewers engage in a visual journey into the deepest corners of my mind, enhancing their experience and hence, understanding. My selection of artworks focuses on the mystery of the human psyche, specifically experiences and shaping one’s identity. Therefore, I’m hoping viewers leave questioning their minds - why they are who they are in that moment.

THE STAGE

Jason Tam

My exhibition is an exploration of my personal experience with grief, a number of events over my time in the Diploma Programme have been the catalyst for grief. Halfway through Grade 10 I lost my grandpa, this being the first loss of someone really close to me. Another impactful event was moving out of my childhood home. The loss of that physical space that held memories was amplified by my initial loss. These events were just the beginning of my journey through grief, as near the end of Grade 11 I lost a close friend to suicide. This is the biggest loss I have ever faced and to process my mental state, I explored self-expression through art. My works have explored different mediums such as paint, ink, and sculpture. The exploration of media has helped develop the ways in which I present my work alongside creating deeper and more thought-provoking intentions.

I developed all my pieces intending to clearly present my state of mind. As the viewer explores my exhibition they see the progression of my experience with grief. Although my work explores how I process grief. It is commonly stated that grief is experienced in stages, although in my experience grief isn’t as rigid; to me acceptance feels impossible if not undeserving. Not one of my works specifically focuses on one ‘stage of grief’ often just being a portrayal of how I felt. I chose the name, The Stage for my exhibition because I wanted to document my processing of loss. Throughout my artistic journey, I have been able to recognize the impact the grief has had on my life and art has allowed me to slowly heal in a closure-like process.

The Gallery

REVERIE

Alex Turner

My exhibition explores the concept of art being a form of storytelling. Throughout my time in the DP I have found myself reminiscing about the past, especially summer vacations. Since my grade 11 and 12 years have been so busy with various assignments and exams, my art has been a form of escape for me. For my exhibition I wanted to present a gallery of memories and stories that can express my feelings to the audience.

A PIECE OF MIND

Alyssa Verma

For my exhibition I decided to explore the concept of dreams. I explored this subject through my own childhood daydreams, cloud gazing, the feel of dreamscapes, nightmares and relating it to the environment around me. Since the exhibition is called A Piece of Mind, I decided to make the exhibition more personal since daydreaming and dreams were a big part of my childhood, considering it had influenced my imagination and creativity. Dreams also have a variety of aspects which is what makes it interesting to explore. My work mainly revolves around the surrealist movement as that time period explored aspects of imagination and dream-like elements. I decided to work with more textured materials for this exhibition since it adds depth and dimension. I used a vibrant colour palette initially since I was going for a more euphoric feeling to my exhibition. However, that slowly changed as I also explored darker themes associated with dreams. I focused on nightmares and the feelings associated with it. Through this, I explored the notion of getting “caught up in our heads” and how too much daydreaming and reminiscing about your childhood can detach us from reality and the present. The colour palette started to contain darker values which added to the tone of the pieces. Throughout the exhibition, the notion of dreams expanded to explore all different aspects, the good and bad. Everyone has dreams and can daydream as an escape, which is what I want my exhibition to show.

Through the use of 2D (collage and paintings), 3D (sculptures) and digital media (illustrations) with a wide range colour palette, I hope for the audience to be fully immersed in the exhibition feeling like they have stepped into a dream world.

The Gallery

HOME THROUGH MY EYES

Jacqueline Wilson

During my DP experience, I faced many personal struggles that made it hard for me to be engaged during school. A space which I found comfort during this difficult time is my childhood home, which is being sold when I graduate. Discovering this had a huge toll on me, especially since it was the place where I sought comfort during trying times. For my exhibition I wanted to display all the aspects of my home, focusing on my room, and highlighting the ranging tones in each of my pieces.

For my exhibition, I chose pieces which best-portrayed aspects of my home. Three of five of the pieces I chose to display My Room, Creative Clutter, and Home of Memories all focus on my room. The reason for my choice to focus on my bedroom is to highlight the most sentimental space in my house. My Room is a large-scale painting of my perspective of my room. In this painting, the bright colours evoke feelings of comfort and discomfort through the displaced shapes. Creative Clutter is similar, as it’s a bright representation of my desk, showing my most important creative space.

DP Visual Art Class of 2024!

Inside this brochure are samples of the fabulous work created over the two year program, along with the student’s curatorial rationale which explains ideas and intentions.

With enduring gratitude, Ms. Melanie Dueck & the Grade 12 Artists

DP Visual Art Exhibition

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

6:00 - 8:00pm

DP Building

The exhibition may contain content that may be difficult for some viewers.

Viewers discretion is advised.