BFA student explores people and their habitats in photo exhibition at Café Alt
Megan McArdle | Fulcrum Contributor
Excitement filled the air at Café Alt on March 7 as fourth-year bachelor of fine arts student Amanda Gaudreau welcomed family, friends, and peers to the opening of her photography exhibition.
The exhibition focuses on the play between nature and humans, with photos displaying a sculptural technique called relief that gives them a special flare. Gaudreau’s work will be on display all throughout March, adding to the café’s unique visual decor for the month.
The Fulcrum sat down with Gaudreau to hear more about her work and the opportunities for artists to exhibit their pieces publicly.
The Fulcrum: What makes your photography stand out?
Amanda Gaudreau: Lately I’ve been [using] nature and projecting it on the human body. That in itself I think is kind of unique. I hadn’t really seen that before. And then I added a 3D relief to it so it pops, it stands out, and people take notice because it’s kind of unusual.
What’s the process like for making 3D relief photography?
Well, first I project a photo onto a body. Then I take that photo, fix it up a little bit in Photoshop, and then I print out multiple copies, probably between about six and 10 copies. Then I layer them from darkest layer to lightest and make my 3D relief pop that way.
How were you able to show your art at Café Alt?
I had an opportunity late last semester where Sparks Street Mall was looking for art, so I ended up just going to an art show where people walked around and asked you questions and stuff. And SAFA [Students’ Association of the Faculty of Arts] ended up asking me if I wanted to put my work in the café, so I jumped for it.
What are your thoughts about artists showing their work in the program right now?
There is a lot of opportunity, but I find you have to go looking for it. And you kind of have to have connections. But there is a lot of opportunity, I find. Gallery 115 is really good. They give you lots of opportunity to sign up for it. I had two of my works in Paradigm[e] gallery, and that was a cool opportunity as well.
How do you feel about the turnout for your first opening at Café Alt?
Oh, I’m really happy! [laughs] I didn’t expect some of the people that were here to be here. I’m really happy that a lot of my peers came out to see.
Do you think this will inspire other artists to get their work out there?
I do, and I’m telling all my fourth-year peers, “Get your work out there, you can do it too.”
