Young Talents
Jean-Michel Basquiat was just 23 years old when he created Notary, featured in our header. His was a genius that was not obvious to all at a young age. Basquiat revealed that he was ‘the only child that failed a life-drawing class in ninth grade.’
“I was a really lousy artist as a kid,” he claimed. “Too abstract expressionist; or I’d draw a big ram’s head, really messy. I’d never win painting contests. I remember losing to a guy who did a perfect Spider Man.” “I really wanted to be the best artist in the class, but my work had a really ugly edge to it. There was a lot of ugly stuff going on in my family.”
Yet, through a tumultuous childhood, certain teachers recognized and nurtured Jean-Michel’s talent. In a tragically short life of 27 years, Basquiat created work that continues to have a profound impact on artists and audiences of 2017.
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In Italian. Jean-Michel Basquiat. 1983
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It is exciting to discover new artists at the start of their careers. One great place to do so is at Emily Carr University of Art + Design. We have profiled a number of creators who have studied at Emily Carr, including Janice Wu.
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Janice Wu. Postcard (Birthday), 2014
This weekend – from noon on Friday, November 24th to 5 pm on November 26th – you can peruse and purchase new student artwork at the Emily Carr Student Art Sale.
ECUAD students will be showing their paintings, photographs, drawings, sculptures and ceramics. These young artists have also put their work on stickers, greeting cards, housewares. It’s the first year the event will take place at their new campus, so make sure you go to the right place!
Written by Elizabeth Newton
www.creatorsvancouver.com
