TheBulletin.ca Journal of Downtown Toronto
OCAD University is throwing its doors open for GradEx 101, a public exhibition and celebration of more than 900 graduating students, the next wave of creative thinkers, makers and collaborators.
It Felt Real by Laura Thipphawong, Cultural and Critical Studies medal winner (photo courtesy artist) (CNW Group/OCAD University)
One graduating student in each program is awarded the OCAD University medal acknowledging creativity, mastery of technique and high academic standards. This year, 21 medals will be awarded, the most ever, with 15 undergraduate and 6 graduate programs acknowledging excellence among their students.
“I am so proud to show Toronto the accomplishments of this group of talented creative thinkers who have grown and flourished with the support of the university’s faculty and academic staff, experts in their respective fields,” said Dr. Sara Diamond, President and Vice-Chancellor. “Increasingly, from the public sector to large corporations, leaders are turning to artists and designers to explore the human interface of their products and services and to solve problems.”
Medal-winning thesis projects include a vast installation of concrete basketballs, questioning the meaning of Blackness in athletics; unsettling paintings that reinterpret popular folklore; and a portable “toolkit” of bowls and implements that allow for home cooking away from home.
The winners showcase their works along with those of their peers in the iconic Sharp Centre for Design at 100 McCaul St. and three additional campus galleries at 49, 52 and 60 McCaul St.
GradEx 101 runs Wednesday, May 4, to Sunday, May 8. The public is invited to opening night celebrations on Wednesday, May 4, from 6:30 to 11 p.m. Admission is free.
For details and a complete event schedule, visit www.ocadu.ca/gradex or download the free smartphone app with information on wayfinding, exhibitors, medal winners and more at http://myeventapps.com/ocadugradex.
2016 medal winners
Faculty of Art:
Sara England – Criticism & Curatorial Practice
Tetyana Herych – Cross-Disciplinary Art: Publications
Oreka James – Drawing & Painting
Nicole Del Medico – Integrated Media
Benny Hunter – Photography
Joanna Yetter – Printmaking
Rouzbeh Akhbari – Sculpture/Installation
Faculty of Design:
Christopher Walker – Advertising
Tristan Marantos – Graphic Design
Kyle Stewart – Illustration
Timothy Mandody – Environmental Design
Jessye Grundlingh – Industrial Design
Amanda Gresik – Material Art & Design
Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences:
Connor Campbell – Digital Futures
Laura Thipphawong – Visual and Critical Studies
Graduate Studies:
Mary Callahan Baumstark – Contemporary Art, Design and New Media Art Histories
Barbora Racevičiūtė – Criticism and Curatorial Practice
Monica Virtue – Digital Futures
Jacob Willow – Inclusive Design
Esmaa Mohamoud– Interdisciplinary Master’s in Art, Media and Design
Smriti Shakdher – Strategic Foresight and Innovation
A variety of student works will be available for purchase at feature sales from programs including Material Art & Design, Photography, Printmaking and Graphic Design.
