Stoyan Barakov
Sculpture/Installation, 2020. Artist and Master’s student
For me, it was beneficial to work with and learn from established Artists who through experience have learned the various tools for success.
What Program did you graduate from and when?
Sculpture & Installation, 2020
What is your current title or role? (e.g. freelance designer, art practitioner, etc.)
Artist and Master’s student at Ryerson in Digital Media.
Why did you choose to attend OCAD U?
I had an urge of wanting to express myself and I felt that OCAD U as a creative hub would allow me to do that. In high school in Mississauga, I did a high-intensity level art program and I knew I wanted to pursue this as a career. OCAD U seemed like a good fit because of its location. Toronto is a diverse city that has exposed me to a lot of different cultures. I am appreciative of the various facilities and fabrication zones we had access to, including professors and technicians. OCAD U was very welcoming and positive.
Please briefly describe your current job/practice.
I’m currently working from home on my education and career path. I have a home office set up that I share with my partner. I haven’t had the chance to create much at the moment. I’ve been reaping the success of my graduation. Due to Covid-19, we didn’t have GradEx (OCAD U's annual Graduate Exhibition) this year, however, I was able to show my work pre-pandemic. During that showing, I sold my first artwork to an OCAD U Board member, Jaime Watt.
In my artistic practice, I have been actively seeking opportunities. My partner and I have an art collective called Collective Memory and we were recently invited to showcase work at the Stratford Light Festival between November 2020 and February 2021. I was published through the collective in an Architectural Journal called Onsite Review (36th edition under ‘Material Future’). I was interviewed by the Toronto Star at the beginning of the pandemic in ‘All Set Up With No Place To Show’.
As we have been generating more funds at this time, we’ve been able to move into a bigger space.
How did you get started in your career?
Out of curiosity. I always knew I wanted to do something creative.
What were your policies regarding internships, volunteering, and paid work?
I think you can volunteer when you have the time. Every opportunity will teach you a different skillset. I worked at a commercial art gallery while in my undergraduate degree. By the end of OCAD U, I was the Gallery Director of that location and it was a great experience. I ended the position at the beginning of January to focus on my thesis and what I wanted to achieve and create. It was great to work in the community I was studying. I’ve met many artists, attended many studio visits and networking events. It has taught me a lot about how to be a better Artist and how to showcase my work. OCAD U doesn’t necessarily teach the business side of being an Artist. For me, it was beneficial to work with and learn from established Artists who through experience have learned the various tools for success.
What do you enjoy most about your work? What is the most challenging aspect of your work?
I enjoy the thought process. I base the majority of my work on personal memories connected to home in Bulgaria. I’ve been basing my work on the nostalgia of the past and bringing it forth and examining it under the lens of the western world where I currently live. I’m often exploring the amalgamation of the two.
Through the collective, we take into consideration the communities around us and how they will experience the work we create. For the event in Stratford, we want to showcase the local community there and how difficult it is for them to see work, experience work and gather right now. We are implementing personal items of clothing sources from locals in the community and dressing them onto mannequins. If I were to describe my artistic practice in one word, it would be ‘nostalgia’.
The challenge I’m facing is in fabricating right now. I work with physical materials. It’s hard to work with power tools, metal, wood and acrylic from home. I’m hoping that the bigger space will allow me to have a designated area to use my power tools. In my Master’s, it’s been interesting to learn how digital media can allow us to pivot and provide more accessibility in work.
What skills or relationships developed at OCAD U helped you participate in your field? Is there anything you would have done differently?
I wish I was more engaged with the community. There are a lot of opportunities at OCAD U. I explored these options in my final year and through that, I was invited to speak at the opening of the new Fabrication Centre at OCAD U. Explore all opportunities you have access to. The Writing & Learning Centre and Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are great resources. Having a great relationship with these departments is important. Speak to people in your industry and engage in events held where industry experts are brought in to speak to students. Establish connections with your professors.
What are the key responsibilities you maintain for your practice?
I keep a connection with Casting Foundries for bronze and aluminum works. When you establish a connection and build a relationship, you often get a better deal. 😊 I keep in touch with Gallerists and Collectors. I try to be busy, stay productive and active. Mental Health is very important to me. I try to keep my schedule filled with activities like running, cleaning, road trips in Ontario and exploring the beauty this province has to offer, spending time on Zoom with friends and family, learning new skills on LinkedIn Learning (which OCAD U students have for free) and attending Artist webinars.
What are your personal and professional goals for the coming years?
To establish myself as an artist and make a living out of this. My goal is to work within communities and education. Once I put my mind to it, I believe I can do it. I know it won’t be easy, but I do hope my work will have a wide reach and be seen by many people.
