ECU’s Class of 2020 Online Exhibition Now Live

Hundreds of works by graduating students from across Emily Carr University’s undergraduate and graduate studies programs are now available for viewing on the new ECU Class of 2020 Grad Show website.

The online exhibition features work by students from all of ECU’s faculties, in disciplines including art (illustration, photography, visual arts, and Critical + Cultural practice), design (communication, interaction and industrial design) and media arts (2D + experimental animation, 3D + computer animation, film/video and integrated media).

"The persistence and dedication shown by the Class of 2020 in adapting throughout a year of extraordinary adversity is exceptional,” Trish Kelly, ECU’s Provost + VP Academic, said. “Their online exhibition and the creative work it showcases are even more proof of their tenacity and talent. What they’ve achieved is exemplary, and I’m immensely proud of them."

Each individual artist or designer has their own page within the elegant platform, featuring not only their works, but in-depth insights into their practice via artist statements, bios, and didactic texts. Visitors can search the site -- which was designed and administered by students -- by clicking on a particular discipline, or by searching for a particular name or degree.

The project involved a mammoth amount of work, with 2020 cohort graduates from around the world submitting work for consideration. Each submission was then carefully reviewed by student curators, who applied in large numbers to participate on the curatorial committee for this year’s grad show, with support from some of the university’s professional curators and faculty members.

Student curators also have work in the show, meaning some of the 2020 Grad Show exhibitors did double-duty as liaisons for fellow participants, helping them to select and categorize their submissions.

Graduating students June Tang, Thejus Kayanadath and Evan Craig designed, built, and managed the virtual exhibition site, which is an extension of the student-run gallery they built with their peers, Janani Ramesh and Arjun Menon, for their cohort of the Interaction Design major.

“The Class of 2020 is once again demonstrating characteristic resolve and ingenuity in delivering an extraordinary online exhibition showcasing their art and design works,” Gillian Siddall, President of Emily Carr University, said. “While resilience and dedication are the hallmark tools they’ve used to build their success, the hundreds of works they’re exhibiting in a space they also helped design and curate is proof of their outstanding creative abilities. This online exhibition is an exceptional achievement.”

ECU faculty members Annie Briard and Haig Armen, as well as Cate Rimmer, the university’s director and curator of gallery and exhibitions, were also on hand to offer guidance, support and expertise as the virtual exhibition took shape.

“A team of over a dozen grads came together to curate and design this online exhibition, and the results speak to the level of expertise, care and solidarity coming out of Emily Carr University,” said Annie, a photo/media artist and adjunct instructor who led the overall coordination of the show. “We couldn’t be prouder of this showcase celebrating the creative efforts of our 2020 cohort.”

Explore the 2020 Grad Show online exhibition now through Sept. 4.