HOMEBOUND Curated by Emiliya Volchenko & Isabella Nicastro

The International Programs & Collaborations Office at OCAD University is committed to creating connections between OCAD U students and our partner institutions worldwide. This collaborative opportunity, curated by Emiliya Volchenko, third-year Graphic Design student, and Isabella Nicastro, third-year Drawing and Painting student at OCAD U, invited students from our partner institutions to respond to this call for artists and share their work in a student-led international virtual exhibition. This initiative was supported by the Global Skills Opportunity Innovation Fund from Universities Canada.

HOMEBOUND

ENTER VIRTUAL EXHIBITON

In our increasingly globalized community, where post-pandemic travel has become more feasible, individuals often find themselves relocating to establish new homes or forced to move due to economic struggles, political instability, or housing crises. The idea of a stable physical home has become more elusive, as frequent changes in living situations, whether voluntary or involuntary, have become the new social norm.

This exhibition explores the intricate connections between home and identity, resonating across diverse perspectives and personal experiences worldwide. Can we unite to draw common threads of home and identity from people globally?

Homebound celebrates the multitude of voices and expressions, highlighting artists from all corners of the world to contribute to a diverse and inclusive showcase of creativity. From traditional mediums like drawing and painting to digital design and multimedia, all forms of artistic expression are represented to curate a dynamic and vibrant exhibition reflecting the complexity and richness of our collective identities.

The exhibition sheds light on how individuals in our rapidly changing global society grapple with and redefine their concept of "home". What does it mean to build a home for oneself? Where does one find true comfort and security? What emotional or mental toll does frequent home changes impose? This international network of students digitally collaborated to explore how socio-economic and political factors continuously shape one's experience with the domestic environment on both local and global scales.

In addition to the 3D virtual exhibition, we've created a scrapbook-style website that allows artists to showcase their works, sketches, and inspirations in an interactive format. For the best experience, view the website on desktop.

HOMEBOUND - Process & Sketches Webpage

ARTISTS

Emiliya Volchenko - OCAD University - Emiliya is an OCAD University student, pursuing a bachelor's degree in Graphic Design with a minor in Photography. Having recently completed a program at the New York Academy of Art which emphasized classical teachings, her practice encompasses a broad exploration of diverse mediums, including drawing, painting, and photography. As a means of storytelling and emotional expression, Emiliya’s work is guided by an exploratory approach, engaging at the intersection of digital design and traditional mediums.
Isabella Nicastro - OCAD University - Isabella is a contemporary Canadian painter based in Toronto, ON, completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at OCAD University, specializing in both Drawing and Painting and Creative Writing. Working primarily in painting, photography, and text, her works feature a deeper observation of the influence of domestic spaces on the individual. With emphasis on concepts of lived experience, the perception of self, familial relations, spirituality and religion, and everyday rituals associated with the home environment, her practice often features depictions of traditional still-life and portraiture through a contemporary lens. Isabella is currently completing an exchange term at Camberwell College of Arts in London, England. Her work has been featured in several exhibitions and private collections in Vaughan, Toronto, and London.
Jason Kwong - University of Southampton - Winchester School of Art - Jason Kwong, born on March 22, 2003, in Hong Kong, is an emerging artist who began his creative journey to express his sense of belonging to his homeland. Currently, he is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton. Kwong’s art addresses the impact of global social issues through minimalist and abstract expressions, reflecting his deep connection to Hong Kong and seeking inner peace. His works are characterized by simplicity, aiming to convey his idealism and worldview amidst today's complex political and social landscapes. Jason creates tension by exploring the conflict between the desire to escape reality and a longing for the world. Through self-dialogue, he navigates the gaps between reality and the abstract, generating insights into the position of the soul, which are then reflected in his art. During his university studies, Jason actively collaborates with fellow artists, participates in various group exhibitions, and connects with art enthusiasts from diverse fields. His research focuses on the aesthetics of simple geometry, using his creations to reveal emotions and create tension. Through his art, Jason Kwong aims to evoke moments of "nothingness," inviting the audience to experience the state of mind he reaches during his creative process.
Alice Rorrison - University of the Arts London CCA - Alice (they/them) is a South London-based artist who takes a multimedia approach in investigating queer experiences within the mundane. Through questioning the inherent value of materiality, in relation to queer bodies, they seek to challenge conventional stereotypes and embrace imperfections in a celebration of authenticity.
Antonio Xue - Universidad de los Andes - Based in Bogotá, I am majoring in Design, which proposes multidisciplinary approaches to creation, and personally I’ve had a passion for art and its processes, transcending the traditional approaches. I am 20 years old and living in a multicultural country which bares multiple visions on life that fuel the creative pursuit. Relating to my art interests, I am taking two minors in the field, one related to plastic arts and the other in visual computing. The latter explores the possibilities programing has in the creation of shapes and motion. I like to combine in the academic and personal practice, knowledge that are apparently divergent. Woodworking, metalsmithing, drawing, and painting are some of the areas I try to connect to generate dialogue within my projects.
Jedidah Afolabi - University of Southampton - Winchester School of Art - My name is Jedidah Afolabi. I am a woman of Nigerian descent currently pursuing a BA Fine Art degree. My upbringing and the influences around me deeply inspire my work, which centres around feminism and identity. My largely figurative work explores themes of ownership, control, and identity through oil paint, photography, 3D printing and clay sculpture. I draw inspiration from both pre and post colonial African art history as well as from artists such as Toyin Ojih Odutola, Kehinde Wiley and Yinka Shonibare. I am eager to participate in this exhibition because my practice is centred on the relationship between skin and identity.
Fernanda González Sáenz - University of Monterrey (UDEM) - My name is Fernanda González and I'm currently in my 5th semester of Arts In the University of Monterrey (UDEM). I've always been connected to the arts since I was very little. I'm a ballet and contemporary dancer as well, two disciplines that have helped me find a special interest in performance art. Besides performance and video-art, I practice photography and different printing techniques. I also enjoy studying art history and philosophy, which is why I'm also pursing writing in my career, whether its creative writing or investigation articles about art. I believe art is one of the purest ways we can connect with one another. Art has been with us since the beginning of time and it will continue to start conversations, change points of view, causing conflict, and above else: keep us creating.
Li Letitia Shen - Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) - Li Letitia Shen explores the potential of gold and silversmithing and glass lampworking to capture traditional culture, memory, and emotion. Born in Shanghai, China, she is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Art at RMIT University. Since 2020, she has exhibited internationally, with her work collected by Craft Victoria in Australia and Dunedin School of Art in New Zealand.
River Williams - Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) - I am River Williams, a Melbourne Australian-based artist currently studying for a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Photography at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). I’ve been interested in art for a while due to compelling visual narratives that allow me to communicate. The raw emotion you can get from an art piece is the most satisfying feeling you could ever experience. This is the reason why I practice art.
Poyao Liang - University of Southampton - Winchester School of Art - My name is Poyao Liang, Poyao in Chinese means pure jade. Sometimes like jade, I stay in a place for long time. Calmly observing the things around me is my daily routine. I like to get inspiration from nature and life, and use illustration and colour to convey the emotion and message of the work. I hope to heal the mental pressure of modern life through my works, so that people can experience peace and healing from my works.
Shruti Suresh Pawar - National Institute of Design - Shruti Pawar is an Indian artist and textile designer from Maharashtra, born in 2003. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor's in Textile Design at the prestigious National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad. Shruti's passion for art and hands-on creation has been evident from a young age, driven by her love for drawing, crafting, and storytelling. Her work explores themes of womanhood, roots, and heritage, communicating personal stories and emotions. Shruti finds inspiration in the ordinary and mundane, drawing from everyday surroundings, and has a fascination with botanicals and the natural world. In addition to illustration and textile art, Shruti enjoys writing and experimenting with various mediums. She has worked with colored ink, paper layering, linocut, weaving, braiding, and digital art, constantly exploring new techniques and materials. The joy of making is central to Shruti's practice, with a hands-on approach at the heart of her work.
Sylvia Ninh - University of the Arts London - Sylvia Ninh is a 20-year-old illustrator from the UK who has just completed her second year at the University of the Arts in London. Before coming to the UK, she grew up in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, surrounded by the culture and noise of a bustling city that never sleeps. She has been passionate about creating art since a young age, always found doodling on the margins of her notebooks before graduating onto expressing herself on the canvas. Each new piece of work has shaped her artistic voice into one that wishes to tell stories, whether they be her own or from others. She enjoys watching films and reading books, both of which she hopes to create for herself as her career progresses.