OCADU Student Public Art Exhibition 2024

Gardiner Zhang

ARTIST STATMENT

In my frame-by-frame animation, I explore the bustling essence of Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square (soon to be Sankofa Square), a place emblematic of constant movement yet capable of capturing timeless memories. My piece depicts a simple yet profound scene: a group of friends gathering to take a photo together in the square. This act of taking a photo serves as a pause, a momentary capture of camaraderie and shared memories in a space that sees thousands of such memories formed and forgotten.

The public exhibition’s theme resonates deeply with my work, as it reflects on urban spaces and the personal connections we forge within them. Yonge-Dundas Square (soon to be Sankofa Square), with its ceaseless foot traffic and flashing billboards, might seem impersonal at a glance. However, through my animation, I aim to express how even the most fleeting interactions can leave a lasting impression on us, much like to how the square leaves its mark on those who pass through.

Living just a stone’s throw away from this iconic location, I traverse the square daily. This personal connection fuels my creative expression, allowing me to depict not just any urban space, but one that holds a personal significance. I believe this personal touch makes my perspective unique in this exhibition. Through my animation, I invite viewers to reflect on their own memories of such spaces and appreciate the personal stamps we leave in our brief encounters within them.

Email: zydgardiner@gmail.com

Jessica Zeng

Artist Bio

Jessica Zeng is a 2D animation artist and freelance illustrator currently enrolled in the EXAN program at OCAD University. Her work favors a traditional Japanese style, exploring the relationship between humans and the environment/society through drawing. In her works, she pays special attention to history, technology, and culture-related content, incorporating these elements into her artwork.

ARTIST STATMENT

Yonge-Dundas Square (soon to be Sankofa Square), one of downtown Toronto's busiest and most historic sites, has been infused with commercial areas, transient populations, and cultural activities, which closely relate to my work. My entry examines Yonge-Dundas Square (soon to be Sankofa Square) link to Toronto, its history, and its residents.

My animated film, "Here With Us," showcases Toronto's iconic historic and contemporary structures, including the Distillery Historic District, Queen's Park, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Gooderham Building, AGO, and the CN Tower. Some of these structures have transitioned from black and white to color photography and are now flanked by high-rise buildings that maintain their heritage. Modern structures have seen the information age’s influences on humanity, whereas historical ones have seen industrialization. Yonge-Dundas Square (soon to be Sankofa Square), in the city center has evolved throughout the years, yet it still showcases each period. The video shows how these structures have grown and how architecture and humankind have shaped their development.

This little snippet summarizes my five years in Toronto, which is why I thought this section needed to be done by me. Over time, I've felt more integrated into Toronto, from the first time I was intrigued by the modern architecture of the city, to getting to know the city and Yonge-Dundas Square (soon to be Sankofa Square), each time I pass by. Architecturally, they steadily reflect history and change according to current times. The human adventure continues as we continue to innovate. Constant progress changes everything, but there is always something to record the past, and new things come along. "Here With Us," an animated short film, was made with ProcreateDreams, all the budlings are drown in sticker style, including the little girl in a cute style. The overall style is more relaxed, as I didn’t want the viewer to feel that the main tone of the work is related to history, architecture, and time, and other grandiose things, thus creating a sense of oppression.

These are all of my ideas for this animated short, and I think it’s one of the more interesting pieces that can be fun while allowing the viewers in Yonge-Dundas Square (soon to be Sankofa Square) to connect with more of what’s going on around them. I hope that these 15 seconds will make people feel relaxed and enjoy the space more.

Email: jessicazeng@ocadu.ca
Instagram: @zerokaya_z0

Yiwen Su and Paris Lin

Yiwen Su Artist Bio

Yiwen Su is an animator and digital artist born in Shanghai, China, currently residing in Toronto, Canada. She is a third-year student majoring in Experimental Animation in the Bachelor of Fine Art program at OCAD University since 2021. Her practice in animation focuses on emotional expression and movement capturing using various media. She has this goal of picturing out the content and the emotion in pieces of sound and music by using diverse animation mediums. She also has some illustrations and handicraft products. Her work predominantly focuses on digital media.

Paris lin Artist Bio

Paris Lin is an animator and illustrator born in southern China and currently residing in Toronto. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Experimental Animation from OCAD University in 2024. Paris specializes in animation and illustration, with a focus on emotional expression. She combines her observations and integrates them into her work. Paris primarily works with digital media, possessing an understanding of stop-motion animation and 3D modeling techniques. She aims to explore diverse animation languages through various production methods, emphasizing the communication of contextual information. In addition to her animation work, Paris has experience in handicrafts and woodworking. She has participated in animated exhibitions at Yonge-Dundas Square (soon to be Sankofa Square) and contributed to the cover and product design for the artwork collection of the 27th to 29th Comic Exhibition.

ARTIST STATMENT

"On the Way" is a series of narrative 2D animations about the community around Yonge-Dundas Square (soon to be Sankofa Square), created by Paris Lin and Yiwen Su. The series comprises two animations, each 15 seconds long. The main theme explores the history and diversity of the community in this area. The plot focuses on two characters, representing different eras, walking along the sidewalk of YDS. As they turn around, they switch to their own special work scenes. The title "On the Way" refers to the millions of people walking along the sidewalk of YDS every day, as well as the path of the history of YDS's from past to future. The goal of this project is to picture the community of the place we are living in.

Yiwen Su Email: yiwens1135@gmail.com
Paris Lin Email: Parislin019@outlook.com

Diana Wu

Artist Bio

Diana Wu, a third-year Experimental Animation student at OCAD University, specializes in creating compelling narratives through 2D black-and-white animation. With a keen eye for the nuances of light and shadow, Diana crafts stories that not only entertain but also provoke thought and emotion. Her work, characterized by its unique aesthetic and depth, explores a range of themes from the whimsical to the profound. As she continues her academic journey, Diana is dedicated to refining her skills and pushing the boundaries of traditional animation, aiming to leave a distinctive mark in the world of experimental animation.

ARTIST STATMENT

My work is a black-and-white 2D frame-by-frame animation depicting a vibrant party scene at Yonge-Dundas Square (soon to be Sankofa Square). In this animation, viewers can see people dancing and playing music, enjoying the vitality and fun of the community. The square is filled with laughter and cheer, and the energy of the people seems to leap off the page. Through each frame and continuous morphing, I convey the unparalleled enthusiasm and energy of the square.

This animation closely relates to the theme of "Community." It not only showcases the physical aspects of the location but, more importantly, its spirit and culture. Yonge-Dundas Square (soon to be Sankofa Square), as a central gathering place, connects people closely through various activities and interactions. My animation captures these moments, illustrating how the community unites through shared joy.

I have a special connection to this square. Living nearby, I often experience and feel the unique charm and vitality of this place firsthand. My personal experiences and understanding of this location allow me to depict the subtleties of the square that only frequent visitors would recognize.

Through this animation, I aim to convey the unique atmosphere of Yonge-Dundas Square (soon to be Sankofa Square) and allow viewers to experience the joy and unity that belong exclusively to this community.

Email: diana12250511@gmail.com

Ted Lutman

Artist Bio

Ted Lutman is an animator originally from Richmond Hill, Ontario. His works are mostly lighthearted and comedic in nature and are most often illustrations or short-form animations, with a focus on visual storytelling. In early 2023, Ted’s works began to take on a more serious tone, marked significantly by his film "Photographic Memories," a tribute to his late father and the memories they had shared together. Since then, he has focused far more on the conceptual side of his work, creating narrative works that draw from his on personal experiences. He is currently working towards graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts at OCAD University.

ARTIST STATMENT

In discussions of community, the homeless people of Toronto are often left out. It wouldn't be right to have a public art piece celebrating community without acknowledging those who are so frequently left out, despite needing community the most. Show compassion to those who need it. I chose to create this piece in response to the numerous anti-homeless measures employed countrywide — from benches with unnecessary armrests to police patrolling parking lots for people sleeping in their cars. The injustice is suffocating. My piece attempts to hold a mirror to how normalized the dehumanization of homeless folks is, and promote critical thought and reflection on how we can treat those around us better, even if it's nothing but a small gesture of kindness.

William Bi

Artist Bio

William Bi is a versatile artist specializing in 3D modeling, animation, and game development. With a strong background in both the creative and technical aspects of digital art, William Bi brings a unique blend of skills to their projects.

Having previously worked as an animator and modeler at a prominent game development company, William Bi has extensive experience in creating immersive gaming experiences. Their proficiency in 3D modeling allows them to craft detailed environments, characters, and assets that bring virtual worlds to life.

Drawing from their experience in the gaming industry, William Bi infuses their animations with dynamic movement and cinematic flair. Their animations range from character animations to environmental effects, showcasing a keen eye for detail and mastery of animation principles.

In addition to their work in games, William Bi excels in creating compelling visual narratives through their animations. Whether it's a short film, advertisement, or promotional video, William Bi utilizes their skills in 3D animation to engage audiences and convey stories with impact.

With a passion for merging artistry with technology, William Bi is dedicated to creating memorable experiences that resonate across various mediums. Their work reflects a commitment to innovation, creativity, and excellence in the realm of digital art and animation.

ARTIST STATMENT

"My animation, 'Young Dundas: 3D Rendered 2D Modeling Animation,' aims to present a unique perspective on the diverse and vibrant urban landscape. By combining advanced 3D rendering techniques with traditional 2D modeling, I seek to capture the unique charm and vitality of Yonge-Dundas Square (soon to be Sankofa Square).

This animation explores urban life and culture, as well as an exploration of the fusion of technology and art. Through meticulous modeling and dynamic rendering, I aim to create an immersive experience that transports viewers into the hustle and bustle of Yonge-Dundas Square (soon to be Sankofa Square.

In this piece, I aim not only to depict the superficial appearance of Yonge-Dundas Square (soon to be Sankofa Square), but also to abstractly express its cultural and social significance it represents. I employ vibrant colors and fluid motion highlight the square's vibrancy and diversity of this location, while also expressing exploration and imagination within urban spaces.

By merging technology with art, I hope viewers will feel the infinite possibilities inherent in Yonge-Dundas Square (soon to be Sankofa Square), as we as the beauty and vitality of urban life. This animation represents my unique interpretation of urban landscapes and a continual pursuit of innovation and creative expression."

Website: williambi1997.wixsite.com
Email: williambi1997@gmail.com

John Li

Artist Bio

John Li is a digital artist from Toronto specializing in illustration and game design. He is currently pursuing a major in animation at OCAD University. John believes that art is about connecting people and a great place to reach a wider public audience. His portfolio includes the development of games such as "Chicken Ranch" and "Point Launcher," as well as design work for North Canine.

ARTIST STATMENT

As a digital artist, my mission is to introduce Yonge-Dundas Square (soon to be Sankofa Square) to the world of illustration. My love lies in making fan art and delving into the complex personalities and dynamic energy that the character embodies. Character stories really speak to me, encouraging me to purse my artistic goals and putting myself to push my very own characters into similar positions.

Beyond my illustration world, I collaborate with friends in the game development industry. As an art designer, my pixel art style combines with playful and humorous characters in an effort to appeal to my own favorite themes and ultimately a great way to strive and refine my abilities to my own artistic community as I grow overtime.

My themes and style are related to the public exhibitions at Yonge-Dundas Square (soon to be Sankofa Square), in this instance, my artwork was utilized to create a sweet and straightforward theme of the square's fountains. Since many artists in this collaboration have adopted other diverse approaches, I think my addition is really helpful in demonstration the various ways in which people can view the community.

Fortunately, I was selected to take part in this exhibition because of my training and background from OCAD University. As a current student in the Expanded Animation course, I have shown my abilities through comprehension of both dynamic artistic expression and visual storytelling. My passions also align with the exhibition's objectives which are very similar, especially when it comes to public showcases and captivating experiences. I hope that the choice of selecting me with help Yonge-. Dundas Square (soon to be Sankofa Square) fulfill its goal of animating community.

Email: johnlimai34@gmail.com

Gunhwan Kim

Artist Bio

Gunhwan Kim is a South Korean artist who specialize in the medium of animation. Through this vibrant and dynamic form of storytelling, he aims to captivate audiences and transport them into new and imaginative worlds. Having studied animation at OCAD University, Kim's work is rooted in a strong foundation of technical skill and creative vision. With each piece, he strives to push the boundaries of animation and challenge traditional techniques, resulting in thought-provoking and visually stunning works of art.

ARTIST STATMENT

My work, "Virtual Reality to Reality," will be for people walking through Yonge-Dundas Square (soon to be Sankofa Square) to visually connect with the virtual reality players. I will employ a combination of motion capture avatar technology and traditional photos to create a surreal streaming animation that transgresses the the physical/digital dichotomy.

Through juxtaposing glamorous images of Yonge-Dundas Square (soon to be Sankofa Square) and the motion capture avatar videos, I want to explore the way these two worlds collide. The videos further blur the landscape and reveal the artistic outcome in motion.

My work explores human unity and community; by building a bride between the digital and physical worlds, between my community in the virtual reality bar and the communal density of Yonge-Dundas Square (soon to be Sankofa Square), I can demonstrate these common experiences and intersections among us all.

My style of storytelling based on this lifelong obsession, and my desire to explain the forces shaping our lives through art and technology. This allows me to contribute to this public exhibition in my own way. With this work, I provoke curiosity; I try to offer a conversation; I try to let people know that I’ve been thinking about them, that I care—thus providing a path toward greater connections with and later reflections on our emerging world.

I hope to challenge the perceptions of my audience about what photography can convey, to step past the walls we have constructed around ourselves, and to reach a point where we can all sit as one in awe and disbelief, coming to a common understanding.

Email: wholock56@gmail.com