Annie Briard
i. I work as a:
Visual + media artist and adjunct prof at Emily Carr University of Art + Design.
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ii. I do this creative work because…
I’m driven by strange encounters with the visible and a desire to share and compare these stories with others. I feel there’s a political and ideological positioning of what can be accepted as valid experience and because of this, so many important perspectives are left out of our discourse.
I’m driven by strange encounters with the visible and a desire to share and compare these stories with others. I feel there’s a political and ideological positioning of what can be accepted as valid experience and because of this, so many important perspectives are left out of our discourse.
iii. Personal qualities that help me in my work are…
I think my openness with people and thirst for new experiences help give me ideas and connect with my audience. A thrill for adventure and pursuit help, too!
iv. The greatest challenges around doing this work are…
Finding the right venues for some of my larger scale projects, especially in open public spaces, like the one in Richmond at Aberdeen station where my work was installed this year as part of Capture Photography Festival, or the Vancouver Art Gallery, on which my work is going to be projection mapped from Friday to Sunday this week. I’ve enjoyed producing work for the public at large, from billboards to video projections, and the creative challenges imposed by making work that can reach wide audiences regardless of their familiarity with art or of the weather, are some I really welcome.
v. Creative childhood hobbies:
Drawing, as most young artists probably do. And building intricate forts for spiders in my driveway…
vi. Other creators who inspire you:
Some artists whose work I feel my research connects with right now include James Turrell, Olafur Eliasson, Grimanesa Amoros, Diane Gougeon, many others, and all the artists I follow on Instagram.
Constructions 1 (Death Valley, California) 2015vii. Training that has helped me succeed in this career …
I was fortunate to be able to pursue a BFA and an MFA. The rigorous feedback I received from my instructors and fellow student artists, and the time to delve into philosophy and art theory while exploring my practice, all definitely helped shape the work I make now.
viii. The biggest myth about this type of work is…
Hmm I really don’t know… By definition a truth has to exist in order for myth to be its counterpoint, I think, so I guess the idea of a myth goes against what I’m trying to say with my work.
Construction 7. Spectral Fictionix. If you want to work in my field, I suggest that you…
Trust in your vision while being open to new experiences and sources of inspiration — for me, this can be long backpacking trips and living in the outdoors, books, and meeting new people – all of whom I believe hold one new perspective for me to learn and draw from. Surround yourself with people whose work ethics or art you admire, and people who push you creatively while also being supportive, be they gallerists, other artists, friends and/or family. Work hard, and carve out the time to be generous and supportive with your community, and people will eventually recognize your efforts and contributions to the conversation.
x. A professional goal I have for the future …
To continue having the good fortune to be able to pursue my research and work. To cultivate recognition so I can grow the works and their reach to as many people as possible so we can have cool talks together about how we experience the world.
xi. If you want to see my work, go to…
– My website www.anniebriard.com or my instagram @anniebriard
– My gallery www.backgalleryproject.com
– The Vancouver Art Gallery for Facade Festival: my commissioned video will be covering the entire North facade of the Vancouver Art Gallery on the evening of September 8, in alternance with a work by the amazing Paul Wong, and again on Sept 9 and 10 from 7:30 pm – midnight. See www.facadefest.com for the full lineup of events and great artists.
– In the fall, I’ll have a massive photo installation on view in New Westminster – anyone can participate in making the work (and I’d love it if you did!): http://bit.ly/2elIjsl
www.creatorsvancouver.com
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