Fine Arts students can participate in the Undergraduate Research Conference by giving a paper presentation and/or submitting artwork to the art exhibition.
When Gerald McComb exhibited his mixed media sculpture, The Civilized, at the UGRC he found that there were many viewers interested in the subject matter and themes addressed by his work. He said, “The conference was an excellent opportunity to have my work exhibited and to be present to explain the meaning of my work and answer questions.” Gerald’s art practice has always focused on Indigenous issues and the process of healing from the lasting effects of colonialism and oppression. His work speaks to his own experience, and in telling his story he aims to bring understanding to those who are unaware of what First Nations people are going through.
After graduating with his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Gerald continued to expand his creative practice by curating the exhibition Teamwork Makes the Dream Work at the W.K.P. Kennedy Gallery in North Bay. He is currently the Artist in Residence for the University of Hearst where he is working on a project that discusses reconciliation and bringing communities together through the arts.
Artwork Submissions: Students are invited to submit up to two (2) original creative work for exhibition during the undergraduate research conference. The selection committee will endeavour to accommodate all forms of creative practice, including but not limited to the following: painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, installation, photography, video art, sound art, performance, music, poetry and spoken word, etc. Interdisciplinary creative practices are also welcome. The size of exhibition space, as well as the number of submissions may limit the number of accepted works. To apply, please fill out the Registration Form and include your 150 word Artist Statement (under abstract). Please also be prepared to attach image(s) of the work(s) you are submitting.
Imogen Wilson’s presentation titled, “The Jewish Museum: Challenging Perceptions of History and Spectatorship,” earned her a UGRC award for best paper. She presented her analysis on the architectural and visual choices made within the Jewish Museum—a museum she had personally visited when in Berlin. The core of Wilson’s research centred around the question, “do these experimental spaces help us to understand the past or do they separate us from it?”
The UGRC paper presentation gave Imogen a chance to share the research she had been doing in her Art History & Visual Studies course. Her paper was included in the UGRC panel titled Reflecting and Representing Community.
Imogen graduated with her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts at the University of Windsor, School for the Creative Arts. She is also employed as a graduate assistant.
Paper Presentation Submissions: Students are invited to submit a 150 word abstract, which summarizes the research paper you would like to present. UGRC paper presentations are fifteen (15) minutes and in length and will be presented as part of a panel. The interdisciplinary nature of the conference, where panel presenters come from different disciplines from across the university, allows for thought-provoking discussion and the opportunity to engage with new ideas.
For an idea of other past abstracts and papers presented, see Conference Programs.