2022 RBC Commissioning Program
Call for Artists
Details
OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION
In fall 2021, the Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers began an inaugural partnership with the RBC Curatorial Department to establish an ambitious program that will commission original editioned 2D artwork, by OCAD U artists, into RBC offices and spaces.
Ten (10) emerging artists from OCAD U, working in a variety of mediums, were commissioned to create an edition set from one existing piece of work. We're excited to announce the following artists as part of the program.
ARTISTS
Abuk isa Toronto based artist who primarily works with oil paint to convey intimate portraits in an abstract style. She explores the usage of colour as a tool to add refreshing and unique elements to her body of work. She continues to communicate empathy in her conceptual ideas, allowing the viewer to respond emotionally.
Alexandra Marcuzzi’s artistic practice is currently focused on collage, however she regularly shifts between modes of representation and methods of production. Her latest compositions involve her own photography, painted paper and magazine cut-outs. She uses art to explore a range of subjects such as the body, nature, the human condition and art history. She also creates aesthetic studies of colour, shadow and texture. Alexandra Marcuzzi completed her BFA in the Drawing and Painting program at OCADU in 2020 and previously studied drawing at the Academy of Realist Art. She lives in Toronto where she was born and raised.
Anmol Chokkar is a Brampton-based artist who graduated with a BFA in Drawing and Painting at OCAD University in 2021. She works in a variety of mediums such as oil, acrylic, textiles, collage, found materials etc. Her textiles and found material works are centered around abstraction while her paintings are focused more so on family, childhood, and memory. She looks at maternal figures as central points in family units, exploring motherhood and the bond between parent and child. She also recreates childhood photos to delve into nostalgia and memory, dissecting the way we reminisce about the past and memorable moments.
Ashlyn Mundy is an artist and illustrator who grew up in the lake Simcoe area and later moved to Toronto to attend OCADUniversity. In her work she illustrates children’s books, creates editorial illustrations, and paints murals. In her illustrations she uses imagery of nostalgia and memories from my own life and experiences.Ashlyn focuses on ideas of capturing a moment in time and imagining the content and how it lives in its own world inside the page.
Atanas Bozdarov & Craig Rodmore
Artists, designers, and tinkerers Atanas Bozdarov and Craig Rodmore’s collusion/practice employs strategies of mimicry and repetition, collection and organization, modification and repair. Incorporating graphic design, installation, photography, and video, their recent projects have explored systems of access, multiple authorship, and chance operations through collectively produced exhibitions and printed matter. Bozdarov and Rodmore graduated from the Interdisciplinary Master’s in Art, Media, andDesign in 2020.
Delali Cofie is a Ghanaian-Nigerian photographer currently living in Toronto, Canada. Through storytelling he engages in multiple genres of photography, such as fashion, music, and documentary. His personal work seeks to highlight beauty whilst exploring social-political motifs, taking inspiration from the human experience, both of his and those around him.
Ghislan Timm (they/she) is a multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker based in Tkaronto. They are currently studying Integrated Media atOCAD University and have exhibited works both locally and internationally. They are influenced by their Afro-Caribbean heritage,Afro-futurism, sound, and cinema. Frequently they appropriate archival film& imagery to create collages and shape non-linear narratives that often reflect the intersections of their multicultural queer identity in unraveling the mythologies and romanticization of home and home-coming.
Kathryn is a multidisciplinary artist based in Lekwungen Territory/Victoria, BC. Her work reflects a reverence for the natural environment, and her paintings are abstract, visual responses to experiences with and within nature. Often referencing places and species she encounters around coastal BC, her work is inspired by natural forms on the micro and macro scale. Her recent work explores the experience of nature through a cognitive lens and attempts to illuminate attentional biases we may apply to plant life.Kathryn recently completed her BFA in Drawing and Painting at OCAD University (2021), and her work has been exhibited in Toronto and Victoria. She has also been featured in publications by CBC Arts and The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Kathryn is represented by Sweetpea Gallery.
I’m Michael Hu, a Toronto-based illustrator. I like to celebrate our surreal world and capture moments of joy.
Most of my works are digital, composed of various colour blocks and few lines, and often inspired by verse fragmentation thoughts from dreams.
Rachael Grad is a Toronto artist and mom of three who has studied and worked in the US, France, Italy, and Hong Kong. Grad left practicing law to study painting full-time at the New York Studio School (New York City) and NewYork University (NYU in Venice, Italy) before transferring to OCAD University.Focusing on colourful abstracted art based on representation, Grad’s art practice has expanded to incorporate digital painting and collage to expand her observational drawing and painting. Grad combines her experience as a mother, former lawyer, and traveler into her artwork. Using her children’s toys as paintbrushes, Grad creates abstract work in reference to abstract expressionism.
Grad's artwork has been shown in solo and group shows inWashington, DC, New York City, Venice, Italy, and the Toronto area. She will graduate with a BFA in Painting and Drawing from OCAD University in May2022.
OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION
OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce an inaugural partnership with the RBC Curatorial Department to establish an ambitious program that will commission original editioned 2D artwork, by OCAD U artists, into RBC offices and spaces.
Ten (10) emerging artists from OCAD U, working in a variety of mediums, will be commissioned to create an edition set of five (5) numbered and signed reproductions from one (1) existing piece of work.
The RBC Commissioning Program will select (10) emerging artists, representing different artistic practices, providing a diversity of artistic voices and approaches to be showcased in the commissioning program. Artists will receive $1,500 per commissioned per editioned set.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Each of the ten (10) selected emerging artists will: Attend an artist on-boarding session in late-March
- Ensure that final completed signed artwork editions are delivered to the CEAD and RBC Curatorial Department by May 2022
- Be responsible for the high quality production of their work. The CEAD can offer guidance on editioning and recommendations for production
RATE:
$1,500 per commissioned work (x1 editioned set of five)
DEADLINE:
Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 11:59 PM ET
TIMELINE:
- Week of March 21, 2022 – Artists are selected and notified
- April-May 2022 – Editions in production
- May – Editions delivered to RBC Curatorial Department
APPLICATION SUPPORT
The OCAD U RBC CEAD is committed to promoting substantive equality for equity-seeking groups that are under-represented in the creative sector. We encourage applications from first-time applicants to the program and graduates of equity-seeking communities including racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities / expressions. Applicants are welcome to advise the CEAD of any accommodations needed to ensure you have access to a fair and equitable process.
Applicants who need assistance with their submissions are invited to connect with the RBC CEAD for Advising support. Click here to learn more about how to book an advising appointment.
ACCESSIBILITY
Applicants who have concerns about meeting a Career Launcher application deadline are invited to connect with the CEAD in order to discuss possible alternatives. We encourage all who might require assistance with the application process to reach out to determine available support. Outreach of this nature should be undertaken at least one week prior to the published application deadline.
PARTNER
RBC Curatorial Department
VIRTUAL INFO SESSION
Monday, February 14, 2022
2:00 - 3:00 PM
Join our upcoming info session to learn more about the RBC Commissioning program and resources for putting together a strong application.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Current OCAD U student or recent OCAD U graduate (2020, 2021)
- Experience in producing small-to-medium sized 2D works
- Priority will be given to applicants who have not previously received a Career Launcher opportunity
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Full contact information (Name, phone, and email) and current creative CV
- Website and/or Social Media handle
- A brief artist statement/bio that contextualizes your overall practice (150 words max)
- A short statement outlining the potential significance of the opportunity to your practice and/or development (100 words max)
- 1-3 images of existing work to be submitted for consideration. A corresponding image support list including: artist name, title, year, medium, and size details of works in one PDF
