Following a nation-wide call for proposals from artists to envision and implement an installation that responds to the connections between Davis Campus and the City of Brampton, Sheridan is pleased to announce the selection of Toronto-based artist Joshua Vettivelu.
Vettivelu responded to Sheridan’s artist call for Temporary Contemporary, an annual installation of contemporary artwork on one of Sheridan’s three campuses. The program, which was launched in 2012, receives submissions from across the country, and offers an opportunity for creators to incubate and realize new ideas through exchange with Sheridan’s vibrant, interdisciplinary community. This year’s project is presented in collaboration with the City of Brampton.
During the fall 2018 semester, Vettivelu explored Brampton and got to know the Davis Campus. As part of their engagement, the artist created a survey and invited students to respond anonymously to open-ended questions like “how far have you travelled?”, “what was your home before it was your home?” and “what makes a good life?”
Vettivelu was moved by a few deeply honest responses that came from students who are also parents. “These students shared some of the risks that were involved in going back to school, immigrating, and making large life decisions (like leaving abuse) for the benefit of their children,” explains Vettivelu. Building on these ideas, the artist conceived an installation that explores the complexity of care, for oneself and for others. “It is a reminder to those who care, that they must also care for themselves; and a reminder to those who are cared for, that they must give care as they receive it.”
In order to create their installation, Vettivelu worked on-site in the Faculty of Animation, Arts, and Design’s Glass Studio as well as in the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Design Technologies (CAMDT).
Vettivelu’s installation, This Light, will be on view at the Davis Campus Library from March 4 to August 9, 2019. On March 7, 2019 at 6 p.m. the City of Brampton will offer a professional development workshop for aspiring public artists. In addition, Vettivelu will present a public artist talk in May 2019.
Read more about what inspired Vettivelu’s work and the installation process.
This project was another example of interdisciplinary collaboration at Sheridan. In addition to the major collaborators mentioned above, thank you to the following project supporters: Facilities Operations and Sustainability, Occupational Health and Safety Services, Centre for Equity and Inclusion, International Centre, Centre for Student Success, Sheridan Student Union and members of the Temporary Contemporary Selection Committee.
