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The Verant Richards Award is awarded annually to an OCADU graduating student for excellence in experimental photography. Verant Richards was a graduate of OCADU and a founding member of Gallery 44, known for his innovative artistic practice that pushed beyond the confines of a self-limiting definition of photography.
The Filipino pre-colonial home, Bahay Kubo, has endured many periods of colonization in the Philippines. This form of the home has become the embodiment of resilience in Filipnx culture. Through documenting the current homes of Filipino-Canadians Jonelle gains an understanding of how Filipinx, as a dispersed community, dissect a new meaning of “home” and how the community occupies space.
As a second-generation Filipino-Canadian, Azia Jonelle's reconciling connections to her heritage serves as a love letter to her inner child. Growing up with a handful of Filipino families in her neighbourhood made it difficult to feel immersed in her culture. The nature of this project has allowed Jonelle to create relationships with others who share her experiences, creating safe spaces to begin healing.
Azia Jonelle (b. 1999, Toronto, Ontario) is a second-generation Filipino artist based in Toronto. She recently completed her studies at OCAD University, completing a BFA in Photography.
Primarily working as a lens-based artist, she often experiments with other disciplines such as textile, sculpture and installation. Her artistic practice is informed by emphasizing the intimacy of relationships (ie. platonic, familial, romantic). In more recent projects, she draws on memories of tradition and culture to create connections to her heritage.
