OCAD U Celebrates Global Artistic Voices with HOMEBOUND - International Virtual Exhibition

The International Programs & Collaborations Office at OCAD University is excited to announce a collaborative international virtual exhibition curated by Emiliya Volchenko, a third-year Graphic Design student, and Isabella Nicastro, a third-year Drawing and Painting student. This initiative, supported by the Global Skills Opportunity Innovation Fund from Universities Canada, invites students from OCAD U's partner institutions worldwide to showcase their work.

HOMEBOUND: Exploring Home and Identity

As our global community navigates post-pandemic realities, the concept of home has evolved. Through a digital collaboration, students explore how socio-economic and political factors shape their experiences with domestic environments on both local and global scales. The exhibition poses the questions: What does it mean to build a home for oneself? Where does true comfort and security lie? What emotional toll does frequent relocation impose? HOMEBOUND delves into the intricate relationship between home and identity, drawing on diverse personal experiences and perspectives from around the world. 

Interactive Virtual Experience

The virtual exhibition, includes a wide range of mediums, from traditional drawing and painting to digital design and multimedia, creating a vibrant showcase of creativity that reflects their collective identities. In addition to the 3D virtual exhibition, HOMEBOUND offers an interactive, scrapbook-style website where artists have shared process works, sketches, and inspirations. Coded by our student curators, this dynamic platform allows for a deeper engagement with the artists' creative processes.

Meet the Artists

Emiliya Volchenko - OCAD University: Emiliya is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Graphic Design with a minor in Photography. As a means of storytelling and emotional expression, her work is guided by an exploratory approach, engaging at the intersection of digital design and traditional mediums. 

Isabella Nicastro - OCAD University: A contemporary painter, Isabella specializes in drawing and painting and creative writing. Her work examines the influence of domestic spaces on individual identity through painting, photography, and text.

Jason Kwong - University of Southampton - Winchester School of Art: An artist born in Hong Kong, Kwong’s art addresses the impact of global social issues through minimalist and abstract expressions, reflecting his deep connection to his homeland and seeking inner peace.

Alice Rorrison - University of the Arts London - CCA: Alice uses multimedia to explore queer experiences and challenge conventional stereotypes, celebrating authenticity through their work.

Antonio Xue - Universidad de los Andes: Based in Bogotá, Antonio combines woodworking, metalsmithing, drawing, and painting to create multidisciplinary art that bridges traditional and modern techniques.

Jedidah Afolabi - University of Southampton - Winchester School of Art: Jedidah's work centres on feminism and identity, using oil paint, photography, 3D printing, and clay sculpture to explore themes of ownership and control.

Fernanda González Sáenz - University of Monterrey: A performance artist and photographer, Fernanda's work connects with audiences through the exploration of personal stories and emotions.

Li Letitia Shen - Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT): Letitia's work in gold and silversmithing and glass lampworking captures traditional culture and emotion, creating pieces that evoke deep personal connections.

River Williams - Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT): A photographer, River's work communicates raw emotion and visual narratives, driven by a passion for art's storytelling power.

Poyao Liang - University of Southampton - Winchester School of Art: Poyao's illustrations and use of color aim to convey peace and healing, inspired by nature and daily life.

Shruti Suresh Pawar - National Institute of Design: Shruti explores themes of womanhood and heritage through textile design, drawing inspiration from the natural world and everyday surroundings.

Sylvia Ninh - University of the Arts London: a 20-year-old illustrator from the UK. Growing up in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, she developed a passion for storytelling through art, inspired by the vibrant city, films, and books.

HOMEBOUND invites audiences to reflect on the ever-evolving concept of home and identity through the lens of these talented artists. Join us in celebrating this diverse and inclusive showcase of global creativity. The virtual exhibition, hosted on Kunstmatrix, will be viewable until the end of September.