In Dimension is a group exhibition that combines different pieces from emerging artists involved in The Image Centre’s Poy Family Youth in Focus Program. Each of the featured artists participated in the IMC’s workshop, “Representation as You” (2021) and “Refaced: Photography and Collage” (2023). They use various forms of media to create their pieces, emphasizing self-reflection and exploring their understanding of cultures, social structures, and their own personal emotions. As the title of the show suggests, their artworks focus on collective and individual narratives.
Alishah Ahmad has a knack for creatively exploring her potential with visual expression. Her work is inspired by her childhood filled with love and passion for drawing, painting, and using hand-prints to create collages. She believes that it is important to surround and immerse herself in nature as nature has the ability to guide her creativity. Her two pieces in this show are “Puzzle of Sentiments” and “Echoes of Times.” She explained that they are reflections of nostalgia based on her memories; the uncertainty of what she has to face in the future, and the simplicity of living in the present. She uses a variety of items and mediums in making these collages. Ahmad invites viewers to join her on her journey. Her pieces have a very personal appearance, taking you on an adventure that includes emotions such as love and emptiness. Her pieces tell a story, while also remaining open to interpretation, inviting the viewer to be vulnerable and to embrace the past, present, and future.
Alishah Ahmad, Puzzle of Sentiments (detail), 2023, collage.
Anne Balneg is a Filipino immigrant trying to find her way to a new life here in Canada on her journey to adulthood. Her art is a means of self-discovery with the underlying themes of Filipino culture, immigration, and the influence of social media and its effect on self-perception. She uses a variety of media and mediums to create her pieces, like “When Will I Learn?” and “Contemplating Everything.” Her inspiration comes from social issues but she also includes personal items like gifts and trinkets alongside photography. The two artworks in this show express the artist’s difficulties in everyday life, her worries for the future; the uncertainties of fate. These images also celebrate her new life, as her future is in her own hands and she is living the life she wants. Her compositions are chaotic; however, they expressively depict the haunting thoughts weighing on her mind.
Anne Balneg, Contemplating Everything (detail), 2023, collage.
Emiliya Volchenko is an OCAD University student studying for a bachelor’s degree in graphic design with a minor in photography. Her practice is based on a broad exploration of a variety of media. “Beyond The Pages” is her only piece in this show and it is a mixed-media collage that criticizes the harmful beauty standards set up by some magazines. She relied on personal experiences in creating this piece, including using hair gel, a common beauty product. This photograph aims to fight the harmful influences and expectations represented by beauty magazines and advocates for more empowering design approaches where these stereotypes are eradicated. This picture is a strong reminder of how beauty is an expectation and not a personal choice in today’s society. Volchenko’s photograph is an inspiring and motivating piece in a movement that wants to change this false image of generalized beauty.
Emiliya Volchenko, Beyond The Pages (detail), 2023, collage (acrylic paint, colored pencils, acrylic gel transfer)
Kardell McAfee is considered an artist who creates self-reflective stories that address one’s awareness of personal consciousness. His goal is to produce work that hold stories with layers, creating rich narratives. His two pieces in this show “Everyday Devices” and “Three iPhones” accomplish this through imagery that reflects him and his surroundings in fragmented parts using his life and feelings through devices we all use constantly, so it can be seen by everyone. The pieces explore the connection between digital media and its immediate effect on social interaction and self-perception. This process encourages him to think about his true self compared to the fantasy self that takes over in his virtual world. Both of his pieces are a wake-up call to identify and question our sense of reality. Having unrealistic expectations based on our virtual identity is always possible. Kardell is challenging both the real and fake world, while simultaneously exploring the different aspects of his life in his journey of creating a complex vision of himself that evokes self-reflecting emotions as well.
Kardell McAfee, Everyday Devices (detail), 2023, collage (inkjet prints, acetate)
Siena-heesoo Jang is an enigmatic multidisciplinary artist whose work is built on her multi-hyphenated identities. Her photographs reflect on her experiences with failure and the evolution of her identity, both physical and mental. Jang considers her art as a play, using her storytelling skills in photography and visual arts, among other art forms. Her pieces in this show express her constant state of curiosity. The theme of duality is presented through sexuality, gender, expectations, climate change, war, and pop culture. “The Inbetween (reimagining my gender)” focuses on herself, her navigation in gender fluidity and the social structures involved with ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’. Both “The Cast of Fate” and “Ecosystem of Broken Trust” address her perspective of the world while reflecting on her importance in it. The artist explores true and fictional aspects of life and shows what she chooses to accept at any given time. She depicts shame, disappointment, ego, curiosity, and humor; making you question personal biases. Jang explores the emotions involved with discovering one’s true self and not just accepting other’s expectations. Her works make us wonder if we’ve been able to identify our real selves?
Siena-heesoo Jang, The Inbetween (reimagining my gender) (detail), 2023 collage, (inkjet prints, gelatin silver prints, magazine spreads, acetate permanent marker)
The Image Centre excelled in bringing together this strong group of emerging artists to represent the theme of the show In Dimension: Personal and Collective Narratives that included all forms of media. I strongly recommend viewing the show and attending it with an open mind. When looking at the thought-provoking photographs, you might discover a new side to yourself you never knew existed.
Cassandra Johnson
Images are courtesy of The Image Centre.
*Exhibition information: In Dimension: Personal and Collective Narratives / featuring works by Alishah Ahmad, Anne Balneg, Siena-heesoo Jang, Kardell McAfee, and Emiliya Volchenko, guest curator: Bryce Julien, May 15 – August 3, 2024, The Image Centre, The Great Hall, 33 Gould St. Toronto. Gallery hours: Wed. 12 – 8 pm, Thurs – Sat 12 – 6 pm.
The exhibition is part of CONTACT Photography Festival.