HARD SKILLS:
PHOTOSHOP, LIGHTROOM, ILLUSTRATOR, INDESIGN, ADOBE XD, PREMIERE PRO, AFTER EFFECTS, DREAMWEAVER, SKETCHUP, PHOTOGRAPHY (NIKON D5000), MICROSOFT OFFICE 365, LOGIC PRO, PRO TOOLS, FL STUDIO, PIANO, BHARATANATYAM, INSTALLATION, PROJECT MANAGEMENT, GRANT WRITING
SOFT SKILLS:
LISTENING, STORYTELLING, VISUAL COMMUNICATION, ADAPTABILITY, RESEARCH, PERSISTENCE, EMPATHY, RESOURCEFULNESS, MINDFULNESS, CURIOSITY
THINGS I MAKE + THINGS I'VE MADE
THINGS I WILL MAKE
<<CONNECTIONS + RELATIONSHIPS>>
MY NAME IS WHYISHNAVE SUTHAGAR AND I AM AN INSTALLATION ARTIST BASED IN THE GTA. MY PRACTICE FOCUSES ON CREATING SITE SPECIFIC IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES USING BLACK LIGHT, THREAD AND ORIGINAL SOUNDSCAPES.
I RECEIVED MY BFA FROM MCMASTER'S SCHOOL OF THE ARTS, AND WAS A PART OF THE 14.0 REMIX PROJECT. TO DATE I’VE SHOWN MY WORK AT THE MCMASTER MUSEUM OF ART, MUCH MUSIC HQ, THE GLADSTONE HOTEL, MANIFESTO, THE DRAKE HOTEL, STACKT MARKET, THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART TORONTO, ARTSCAPE DANIELS LAUNCHPAD, THE TORONTO DISTILLERY DISTRICT AND TORONTO ARTS COUNCIL.
I AM A DAUGHTER OF TAMIL IMMIGRANTS WHO LEFT SRI LANKA FOR CANADA DUE TO THE MOST RECENT SRI LANKAN CIVIL WAR (1983-2009). MY WORK AIMS TO CREATE RECONCILIATION BETWEEN MY UPBRINGING AS BOTH A POST-WAR PRODUCT AND THE WESTERN CULTURAL LANDSCAPE I CALL HOME.
I USE LIGHT, SPACE AND SOUND TO SHARE THIS NARRATIVE. THROUGH MY NEW-MEDIA LIGHT INSTALLATIONS I DEPICT THE PASSED TRADITIONS OF MY ANCESTRY, REFERENCING FOR EXAMPLE: THE ANCIENT DRAWING FORM OF KOLAMS, THE NARRATIVES TOLD IN THE DANCE TRADITION OF BHARATANATYAM, AND THE STORIES OF MY FAMILY’S LIVES IN SRI LANKA (BOTH PRE-WAR & WAR ERA). THE SOUNDSCAPES I CREATE TO ACCOMPANY MY INSTALLATIONS REFERENCE CARNATIC MUSIC TRADITIONS THAT BOTH MY MOTHER AND GRAND MOTHERS HAVE TAUGHT ME - CROSSING THEM WITH PRESENT DAY SOUND DESIGN CONVENTIONS TO CREATE HYBRID SONIC WORKS.
THEMES I EXPLORE IN MY WORK INCLUDE ANCIENT MYTH, DREAMS, MEMORY, MENTAL HEALTH AND REFLECTION ON MY DUAL CULTURAL IDENTITY AS BOTH A TAMIL EELAM-SOUTH ASIAN AND CANADIAN.
HOW MY WORK IS STARTING TO CHANGE IS IN MEDIA. I AM PRESENTLY WRITING CONCEPTS FOR VIDEO AND FURTHER EXPLORING SOUND AS A MEANS OF TELLING THE NARRATIVES I HAVE BEEN EXPLORING IN MY INSTALLATIONS. I AM DEVELOPING A VIDEO ALBUM OF 27 TRACKS/VIDEOS ABOUT A LETTER FROM A DAUGHTER TO HER MOTHER ABOUT THEIR FRAYED RELATIONSHIP. A LETTER THAT WORKS THROUGH BOTH THE CONNECTION THEY HAVE BY BLOOD AND THE SEPARATION THEY HAVE BY LANGUAGE, CULTURE, TIME, PLACE AND THE RICOCHETING EFFECTS OF WAR.
THE ALBUM WILL USE THE MOTIFS/THEMES/PRINCIPLES FOUND IN HINDU MYTHOLOGY, BHARATANATYAM, CARNATIC MUSIC & POST/PRE WAR SRI LANKAN LIFE AND JUXTAPOSE THEM WITH THE SOUNDS/AESTHETICS OF SUBURBAN CANADIAN MILLENNIAL CULTURE.
MY FAMILY (IMMEDIATE, EXTENDED, OVERSEAS)
MY FRIENDS (SCHOOL FRIENDS, ART FRIENDS)
MY WORK COLLEAGUES (PAST AND PRESENT JOBS)
MY ART COLLEAGUES (CURATORS, PROGRAM CO-ORDINATORS, FELLOW ARTISTS)
MCMASTER SCHOOL OF THE ARTS (SCHOOL PROFESSORS AND STUDENTS/ALUMNI)
REMIX 14.0 (PROGRAM COORDINATORS, ALUMNI)
HXOUSE (PROGRAM COORDINATORS, ALUMNI, PARTICIPANTS)
<<INSIGHTS>>
SEE HOW I CAN REACH OUT TO SOME OF THESE FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES IN PURSUIT OF COLLABORATION OR A SKILLS TRADE OF SORTS. ATTEND AND BE PRESENT FOR THEIR PROJECTS AND OFFER ASSISTANCE FOR THEIR PROJECTS. CREATE PROPOSALS FOR MY OWN PROJECTS AND REACH OUT TO OTHERS WHEN THEIR IS OPPORTUNITY OR A GOOD FIT FOR A FRIEND’S/COLLEAGUE’S SKILL SET. SKILLS INCLUDE BOTH HARD AND SOFT.
GAPS INCLUDE THE EFFORT OF RECONNECTING WITH FRIENDS/COLLEAGUES THAT I’VE LOST TOUCH WITH. AS WELL AS THE EFFORT TO MAKE BRAND NEW CONNECTIONS, TO MEET NEW ARTISTS (BOTH ESTABLISHED AND EMERGING) AND PEOPLE IN GENERAL. THIS WILL INVOLVE THE TASK OF OPENING MYSELF UP TO NEW EXPERIENCES.
BELIEVING IN MY ART IS ROOTED IN DISCOVERING FOR MYSELF WHAT IS TRUE TO ME. WHAT NARRATIVES ARE AUTHENTIC TO MY BEING AND WHAT STORIES AM I MEANT TO SHARE, ALLOWED TO SHARE AND MERITS SHARING.
FOR ME THESE STORIES ARE ROOTED IN MY HERITAGE, UPBRINGING AND JOURNEY WITH MENTAL HEALTH. UNDERSTANDING THAT LIFE CAN BOTH BE GIVEN AND TAKEN AWAY IN AN INSTANT (BY BOTH YOURSELF AND OTHERS) IS A MOTIVATING FORCE FOR ME TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO EXPEL THESE EMOTIONS AND TELL THESE STORIES IN MY HEAD - WHETHER THAT MEANS LEARNING A NEW MEDIUM, RESEARCHING HISTORIES/IDEAS OR GIVING MYSELF SPACE TO PROCESS AND CREATE FREELY - KNOWING THAT ONE DAY I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CREATE AT ALL IN THIS FORM PUSHES ME TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO EXPRESS MYSELF IN THE NOW.
DESPITE PAIN, TRAGEDY, SUFFERING, A LOSS OF PURPOSE, EVERY CELL IN ALL OF US WAS CREATED FOR A REASON. YOU EXIST ON THIS EARTH, IN THIS UNIVERSE, IN THIS FORM - FOR A REASON. EVEN IF YOU CAN’T SEE THE REASON NOW - IT’S THERE, EVERYTHING IS ALREADY THERE, IN OUR DNA, FOR US TO UNLOCK WHEN WE ARE MEANT TO MANIFEST IT.
1 9 9 4 - 2 0 1 2
CARNATIC MUSIC LESSONS FROM MOTHER/GRANDMOTHER
VISITED SRI LANKA FOR THE FIRST TIME
PIANO LESSONS
BHARTANTYAM LESSONS
VEENA LESSONS
TAMIL SCHOOL
HIGHSCHOOL ART CLASSES (EXPLORED PAINTING AND PHOTOGRAPHY)
2 0 1 2 - 2 0 1 7
Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts
McMaster University 2012-2017 / Hamilton, ON
Explored installation art and learned art history
2 0 1 7 - 2 0 1 8
WAS A PART OF 14.0 REMIX PROJECT / Toronto ON
April 2 0 1 7 - Lakshmi Installation for McMaster Thesis Project
McMaster Museum of Art/ Gallery Installation / Toronto, ON
Indoor wall installation. Curated by Svava Thordis Juliusson.
Jan. 2 0 1 8 Lucid Dreaming Installation for CUTMR Exhibition
The Gladstone Hotel / Event Installation / Toronto, ON
Immersive room installation with soundscape piece. Curated by Lukas Toane.
April. 2 0 1 8 Balance Installation for WIPP Toronto
Much Music HQ / Event Installation / Toronto, ON
Indoor wall installation.
August 2 0 1 8 Resonance Installation for Manifesto TO
Ossington Tire / Event Installation / Toronto, ON
16 ft by 16 ft wall installation. Curated by Ashley McKenzie.
Dec. 2 0 1 8 Invisible Cities 2 Installation for the Sky Yard
The Drake Hotel / Seasonal Installation / Toronto, ON
3 panel outdoor wall installation. Curated by Mia Nielsen.
April 2 0 1 9 Lotus Installation Series for Stackt Market
Stackt Market / Artist Residency / Toronto, ON
5 wall panels + 1 free standing installation. Curated by Jacquelyn West.
July 2 0 1 9 Novacane Installation for Banded Purple
MOCA / Event Installation / Toronto, ON
Free standing wall-size installation. Curated by Lauren Pirie.
SEPTEMBER 2 0 1 9
BECAME Graphic Designer AT Twenty2b(LOCAL PRODUCT DESIGN STUDIO) / Toronto ON
Oct. 2 0 1 9 The Palace of Winds Installation for the Jaipur Festival
The Distillery District / Event Installation / Toronto, ON
Mounted wall-size installation. Curated by Jade Lee Hoy.
Nov. 2 0 1 9 Sun Showers Installation for HXOUSE Connections
Daniels Launchpad / Event Installation / Toronto, ON
Free standing wall-size installation. Curated by Patrica Yeboah.
Dec, 2 0 2 0 - Place(makers) Workshop - STEPS.
Lead a workshop series that facilitated making a public art
piece created by seniors of the Regent Park community.
(2020-Present) - Artscape Atelier - Daniels Corp.
Commissioned with team (pranavi and jasmine) to lead the development of
433 artisanal planters as welcome gifts for new members of Regent Park.
Dec, 2 0 2 0 - Toronto Arts Council - Independent ARTIST CATEGORY
Received the Individual - Visual Arts Grant from the TAC to
create a prototype installation for nuit blanche 2021?*
Jan, 2 0 2 1 - SKY AND COLOUR DIGITAL GALLERY
COLLABORATOR OF GRAPHICS/ILLUSTRATIONS FOR SAM MADHU’S “NIRVANA[EXE]” DIGITAL PIECE
https://skyanycolour.com/nirvana
3 PART VISUAL ALBUM (2021)
JANUARY 2021 - MAY 2021 (MUSIC PRODUCTION AND VIDEO CONCEPTUALIZING) W/ DELIVERABLES
27 SONGS
27 AUDIBLE CONCEPTS (GOOGLE DOC)
27 BEATS (LOGIC FILE FOR MELODIES + FL STUDIO FILE FOR PERCUSSION + FINAL WAV)
27 LYRICS SETS (GOOGLE DOC)
27 RECORDINGS
27 VIDEOS
27 VISUAL CONCEPTS (GOOGLE DOC)
27 MOOD BOARDS (LANDSCAPE PSD FILES, PNGS)
27 STORY BOARDS (INDD FILES, PDFS)
CONTACT VIDEOGRAPHERS/FRIENDS (GOOGLE DOC + IG DMS)
27 SETS OF CHOREOGRAPHY (GDOC W/ VIDEO NOTES, & VID RECORDINGS)
27 SETS/INSTALLATIONS TO DESIGN (PSD/ILLUSTRATOR RENDERS, & MOODB)
SOURCE VENUES/LOCATIONS (GOOGLE DOC)
27 OUTFITS/LOOKS TO DESIGN(PSD/ILLUSTRATOR RENDERS, & MOODB)
27 MAKE-UP CONCEPTS TO ORGANIZE (PSD FILES, PNGS, GOOGLE DOC W TUTORIALS)
27 MAKE-UP LOOKS TO CREATE/TEST(GDOC W/ M-UP ARTIST LIST & TEST PHOTOS)
27 GRAPHIC DESIGN ASSETS
27 VIDEO EFFECTS ARTISTS TO CONTACT (GDOC W ARTIST LIST, IG DMS)
3 ALBUM COVERS (GOOGLE DOC + LANDSCAPE PSD FILES, PNGS)
3 ALBUM ART BOOKLETS TO CREATE(INDD FILES)
1 ALBUM ART BOOK (INDD FILES)
JUNE 2021 - DECEMBER 2021 (VIDEO EXECUTION)
EXECUTE VIDEO PROJECTS
2022
AIM TO CREATE 12 INSTALLATIONS LOCALLY - GTA
AIM TO CREATE 1 INSTALLATION - OUTSIDE OF THE GTA
CREATE PIECE FOR AXIS CURATORIAL SHOW - “THE SACRED” - CURATED BY Noor Alé + Claudia Mattos, TORONTO
CREATE 1 VISUAL ALBUM
OCT 2022 - NUIT BLANCHE
Nuit Blanche ,City of Toronto. (2019-Present - POSTPONED DUE TO COVID)
Selected to develop an art installation at Scarborough Town Centre
for Nuit 2021(FROM 20201) about the Tamil diaspora experience.
2023 - 2030
CREATE 7 VISUAL ALBUMS
AIM TO EXHIBIT INSTALLATIONS IN GALLERIES ACROSS CANADA
AIM TO EXHIBIT INSTALLATIONS INTERNATIONALLY
AIM TO EXHIBIT/CREATE ONE INSTALLATION IN EVERY MAJOR ART CITY ON THE GLOBE
AIM TO PERFORM ALBUMS LOCALLY
AIM TO COMPLETE BHARATANATYAM LEVELS AND ARANGETRAM
AIM TO WRITE AND DIRECT 7 SHORT FILMS