The Business of Art & Creative Strategy

Lately I’ve been sharing examples of university or post-graduate students’ projects and successes. I find a lot of inspiration in them because these students are at the forefront of the new generation that knows how to seamlessly integrate new media into their artistic creations, whether film, music, or art.

The project I want to share today is by a Simon Fraser University student, Natasha Zimich. She’s looking for $1600 to help make 12 hand-bound hardcover books of her original illustrations for her Grad Exhibition, and has put the project on IndieGoGo.  

A Kriggle, http://kriggles.tumblr.com/

Tasha is both a Fine Arts and a Psychology major, and one of the most industrious, dedicated, and bright young women I know.  She’s a rebel of sorts in her Fine Arts program; creating art that, while being exceptionally unique, imaginative and technically well-executed, creates controversy by its use of, and tendency towards, what the contemporary art world deems beneath them: commercial product, viability, and a nod to contemporary popular culture.  As far as I’m concerned, there should be more students like Tasha, who are brave (and cheeky) enough to poke at institutional art programs and start flaming discussions about what art is, what it means, and what it can be.

I digress! I want you all to please help Tasha with her Grad Project. It’s like nothing else you’ll ever see, not least of all because of how talented she is as an illustrator.  I’ve seen her marker paintings in person and you’d be amazed at the skill she has. And she’s done so much work to pull it all together. Now she needs our help to raise enough money so that it can see the light of day, and bring her vision to life (and perhaps for those who want it, also to your homes).  

Tasha’s project centers on her visual reinterpretation of a somewhat strange, macabre text called ‘A Gorey Demise’.  This is definitely genre. It’s innovative, a little weird, but exquisitely touching at the same time.  

Please take some time to check out Tasha’s ‘A Gorey Demise’, and if you’re so inclined, to contribute. Also, any sharing, tweeting, or reaching out to someone that you think may be interested in either covering the story as press would also be helpful. 

I’ll be sharing more about her project and her work, because I believe that students like Tasha, who challenge the status quo not for the sake of publicity but for passion and the genuine interest in spurring discussion and open mindedness in old and outdated ways of thinking, should be supported and encouraged! Good luck Tasha, I know you’ll succeed!