ECUAD Student Publication

Taking it’s name from the mischievous primate companion of Emily Carr, WOO is an experimental magazine which aims to showcase student artwork, criticism and creativity. Throughout ever-evolving manifestations, WOO has remained committed to creating publications which promote curiosity and reflect the temperature of the student body. The WOO team facilitates connections with established artists, curators, and alumni with the intention of engaging and contributing to the surrounding arts community. Submissions are accepted 3 times a year for printed editions, and we encourage feedback and written submissions for blog content throughout the year.

amruta rane

interview by abi simatupang / photographs by parum walia

How do you describe your practice/work?

I mostly work in design — I like making illustrations and combining it with graphic design. I also like making political and emotional stuff for my art. For example, for one of my classes, I made a zine about the gentrification of Punjabi Market, and I used an illustration of myself (a cartoon caricature of sorts) and through that I told the story of Punjabi Market in the period of 2000s. I find it helpful to use my comical art style to depict problems in the society in a way that is lighthearted and fun, especially when combined with design.

How did you realize you had a particular interest in graphic design and illustration?

I’ve always loved drawing, and because of that I’ve always seen myself as more of an artist. I guess I only chose to study graphic design because I wanted to be introduced to certain principles of digital practices. But, as I started to get introduced to other graphic designers, getting more involved in the internet and more observant of the things around me, I realised what inspired me the most are book covers and prints! Like the illustrations on book covers, brochures and stuff. So those have been something I’ve looked into more in my practice.

Has your interest changed or developed now that you’re in 2nd year, and if so how?

Yeah! It has changed me a little, like I used to focus more on the technical aspects of design, i.e. colours and the likes. I focused on the visual parts of it more than the content that goes into my artworks and designs, so being in the school and surrounded by other designers and artists help me figure out other things that I should be thinking as well when I design my projects: what kind of information goes into them, making sure it isn’t problematic, and asking myself questions about the nature of the message that I want to convey.

What do you hope people get when they see/experience your work?

I hope that people relate to what I make and understand it. I hope it makes them think about their own art and see if they can combine my ideas with theirs and if after doing so, they can relate to it more. Seeing their art with mine in relation; spotting similarities between their own artistic decisions and mine, and if it ultimately makes them feel satisfied and happy to look at it.

How does “burnt” connect to your work?

I see being “burnt” as a form of rage and expression, which comes out of wanting to see a change in the world and it creates an urgency in yourself to act upon it. It helps me create and take action, that feeling of being “burnt”.

Any terrifyingly fun (or otherwise) story(s) of when you got “burnt”?

I’ve felt burnt before when I fight with someone I love. The feeling of fight or flight reaction when I didn’t want to have that reaction; just having a fight with them sparks a reaction within me and hot breath. That’s very uncomfortable because I do love them. I guess that love is exactly what makes that feeling of being burnt happen.

Anything else you’d like people to know about you, your practice, or your thoughts on ‘Burnt’?

I hope that people talk to me about my artwork. I hope that my art makes someone feel, and I’m always open to people making friends with me through art.

Before going to art school, I didn’t always look to others, like other artists, as I was only looking to improve my skill in making art. But since I’ve come to this school, there’s no way other than to learn by engaging with other artists, and through that I became passionate about different cultures and where they come from, more of my friends’ stories.

I’ve also always liked people, but I never really thought about connecting with them through their art. So when I started talking to them, I started to understand that building community is possible if you form really good friendships first. I’ve been trying to build strong connections with the people around me and I’ve tried asking them about their stories and telling them mine as well. It helps me inform my practice and also get to know them better.

faces of emily carr - artist spotlight