Vincy Lim: All My Friends Are Straight

January 7, 2020 – January 31, 2020

This exhibition features a series of sapphic artwork by OCAD University illustration student Vincy Lim.

Lim is a Chinese-Canadian non-binary sapphic illustrator cartoonist whose work revolves around the themes of self-love, queerness, disability, and abuse. Through graphic memoirs and fictional stories grounded in the realities of today’s marginalized groups, Vincy produces work that emphasizes on loving yourself, healing, and the recovery process.

Inspired by love, Lim describes the experiences of those outside the conventional mold. Lim portrays Queer, disabled, people of colour, and females that love each other and love themselves regardless of not fitting into society’s unrealistic standards of perfection and heterosexual normality.

Lim’s work is straightforward and personal, capturing singular moments of loving, loved and enduring love:

All My Friends Are Straight is a series of sapphic works that describes the experiences of those unlike the mold. Queer, disabled, people of colour, and females that love each other and love themselves regardless of whether or not they fit in to society’s standards of perfection and normality.

Knowing that you have survived past this singular moment, that there will be many others, in your life, and through the lives of your loved ones. That love will be passed down through the generations and continue to be passed onwards. A new day begins every day and your memories, dreams, and ambitions live on in the hearts of others who cherish and love you.

It is a statement of hope for intersectional queers, that we too can love and be loved. And we can continue being loved for the rest of time. It is the fact that our history which grounds us, our history that influences us, which create who we are today, is cherished and respected as we raise a generation of children who learn from love and respect. That we stand strong, that we stand bold, and ever mighty.

Extended until February 21

Those who have visited the Learning Zone would have met Tom Colleran, one of our many talented LZ Student Monitors who have provided valuable services for us. Tom will be graduating from the Drawing & Painting program this summer. Tom’s main focus with his artwork has been portraiture and figurative paintings and drawings. Coming to OCAD U was a natural fit for Tom as he grew up drawing.

I spent a lot of my childhood on a farm, a farmhouse and we did not really have cable or internet, we had very slow internet. We would spend most of our time drawing. My grandfather would have a lot of photocopied articles and the backside were always blank so we would get big stacks of paper that we could draw on. My grandpa, when he saw me draw he would be pulling me aside to show me the great masters. I got more interested in pursuing it more seriously later on.

LZ: What 2 art supplies could you not live without?

TC: A good supply of Willow charcoal and a good kneading eraser.

What kind of books do you enjoy reading?

One of my favourite authors is Kurt Vonnegut. I like his blend of humour, satire, history and science fiction.

What do you do to relax?

I play a lot of guitar. I am in a band with my sister.

Do you have a favourite contemporary artist who you appreciate a lot?

The one artist that got me excited was Eric Fischl. He also works from photographs. Fischl was part of the Neo-expressionism movement that popularized working with the figure again in the late 60s. His paintings have some dark and perverted imagery—and he does some really nice portraits too.

Is there anything else you want to share with us, any final thoughts?

Take your time at school. When I started I was really concerned with getting through everything and taking as many classes as possible then I slowed down. Give your self enough time to do things. Having less projects gets you excited by the projects you do have and that is a big help. That is one of my many experiences from OCAD that I will transfer to my art practice.

A new exhibition has opened at the Learning Zone Gallery called Migration.

Migration: First Generation Student Exhibition is an event held every year which recognizes the “talent and achievements” of First Generation students from all of the undergraduate programs at OCAD University.

Seventeen first generation students’ artwork responding to the exhibition theme “Migration” will be showcased.

A publication launch of Migration will be held at the opening reception in the Learning Zone, Wednesday March 21, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

Exhibition is on until March 29

This exhibition features a series of works by two abstract painters from OCAD University; Danielle Coleman and Mashayla Ritchie.

Both artists bring a distinct approach to their work. Ritchie experiments on mixed media and texture with application and technique, while Coleman introduces experimental materials and old world imagery.

Works featured by Ritchie includes studies and abstract paintings.

Acrylic paint and oil pastel/sticks are explored on miscellaneous surfaces. Utilizing plastic baggies as piping bags for acrylic paint, she creates an intrigue to the overall composition and texture of the work. In combination with an unconscious train of thought, these works embed past felt emotions and mental states.

Material experimentation is important to Danielle Coleman’s art practice. The use of glitter, protective sponge liner, electrical tape and floral textiles and her studio’s atmospheric component of disco and alternative break up tunes frames a context for the creative process.

Combinations of colours reflect kitschy, nostalgic graphics and retro floral textiles through mixing vibrant, reflective and neon acrylic paints. Works seek to visualize the kitsch feeling of heartbreak of post relationship status.

Visit the Learning Zone Gallery.

On until October 28