Final Portfolio, OCAD U 2020:
Environmental Portraits
I have always been drawn to the interaction between human and place.
How does the experience of a location influence ones identity?
This series of portraits explores this relationship by capturing subjects within environments significant to them in one way or another; a home, a workplace, a cityscape, etc. With an intimate and stylized documentary approach, I invite viewers into the lives of a diverse group. Come meet them, and their spaces, with me.
"Supafly is an original character that I invented that is meant to reflect my own self image. I made my own costume based off of the suit that he wears in battle. The area sort of reflects my personality; the colorful street art in many ways reminds me of my own creativity."
"These spaces are a reminder of all the memories and relationships I’ve made over the years in Toronto, and struggles I’ve overcome along the way. They bring back both happy and sad memories, but also remind me of the potential I have to reinvent myself and my identity and forge a new path for my life."
"Each location has noticeably bright and bold colours. I tend to lean towards bright colours when making my own aesthetic choices. I love all the feelings they can encompass. As well, there is significance, to me, in the locations of the photos all being on campus - these are ones that I see regularly, almost daily, and the photos bring together the idea of being able to see a normal space in a creative and new way. This concept has influenced so much of my writing as a poet - the ability to see a normal situation, person, place, or idea from a refreshing new perspective."
"Christie Pits is the neighbourhood in which I grew up. Those were the days that the Baskin Robbins on the intersection had a rockin’ green tea flavour. I have pictures in this park from when I was younger, and looking at the ones Malik took of me, it makes me feel like a time traveler, showing how I’ve grown into the adult I am now."
"This space gives me a sense of vibrance and bleakness simultaneously."
"No object has instilled growth in me like Merlin (she/her), my motorcycle. My family says I lack a healthy dose of fear, and I admit that there aren’t a whole lot of things that I’m afraid of. And so I was shocked by the fear and anxiety that I experienced when learning to ride Merlin. Maybe it’s an age thing. Never in my life do I recall intentionlly pushing through such a difficult emotion that I had the choice to back out of. But with practice and experience those emotions have changed. I feel at ease, free and victorious with her now."
"I chose the punk look because it clearly corresponds to my badass attitude, while being bubbly and goofy. I remember not being able to feel my nose or feet because it was so cold, and being grateful whenever Malik wanted to get some creative lighting with the sun. The garage smelled bad, but the unique pics were worth it. Initially I just wanted some pictures for my Nonna who wanted to see more of her “handsome grandson”, but I had no idea that it would be this fun."
"This space is where I spend countless of hours learning and working on my video production. It has evolved over the years to where it is now. I’ve worked on tons of projects here. I always bring all my equipment with me on the first time I shoot a new type of project. It’s cool to have all the equipment which I’ve amassed over the years around me. This is my home office and there is no place like the home ....office!"
"The first word I think of when I see this space is “open”. I live such a fast-paced life with a lot of structure and this place give me the opportunity to really take in the fresh air. It’s been a go-to area for my siblings and I for quite a while, and so it reminds me of the togetherness we once used to have. These portraits reflect my embrace of my northern Canadian side, which I’ve missed out on while living in Miami, Florida."
"This is the place where it all started for me - writing songs, singing and playing guitar and piano in the comfort of my home. My roots are here. I enjoy having friends over because they point out the beautiful things that I see every day, like my mother’s flower garden, the detailed floor tiles, and the old paintings on the wall I did as a kid. It can be messy, it can be neat, it can be quiet, it can be loud, but at the end of the day, it is my home and I feel very much myself here."
