EMILE HAMZO
The idea of curating and interior design had been initially brought to my attention by my teacher. While exploring the themes and intricacies involved, I had also thought it would be a good fit. Pursuing as niche the subject of interior design (in a school setting) provides certain intrinsic limitations, and I find it very intriguing to see how I can customize and work with limited materials, as well as the vision of an artist.
I had begun taking art more seriously in the advent of grade 7. That year, I had learned about multiple pillars of the basic arts. Value, texture, colour space; I started to pay more attention to these things as the year progressed.
The late curator Alexander Dorner was a notable influence. He essentially mainstreamed the idea that art, the background and space on which it is displayed on may work together to enhance pieces. He would create perspective and movement by installing decorative extras near artwork. His approach to curatorship has been a big inspiration for me.
My biggest challenge has been implementing the ideas of aspiring, yet conflicted young artists (they tend to double-back on their ideas), while also introducing the more traditional themes of art that I have come to enjoy (movement, colour and space.) The lack of materials and workspace have also been a challenge, and minimal amount of freedom concerning the background that I make my art on have also caused troubles. An additional challenge is the current situation we find ourselves in this third semester: I now have to curate the work of these artists online or in a virtual format.
Contrary to other mediums, curating and displaying derive their purpose from a lack of ‘in-your-face’ notice. I hope that the viewer sees my displays and finds that it enhances the art that is mounted on the boards in the Junior School as well as online in our revised format.
On that note, I would like more control over where and how I display my art, so that I can ‘egg’ viewers on to think and feel more pronounced thoughts when looking at my work.