Exhibition No. 19

April 19 - May 12, 2024

The SPAO Photographic Arts Centre proudly presents EXHIBITION NO. 19, an exhibition showcasing the outstanding work by students enrolled in the only 2-year photographic arts college diploma program in all of Canada. 

Over the course of their time at SPAO, students are provided the opportunity to experiment with digital, analogue and rare historic photographic processes, as well as engage in nuanced discussions in photographic theory. Industry leading educators and arts professionals help guide these students as they become the next generation of photo-based artists.

SYDNEY HALL

Sydney Hall is a photographer currently working out of Ottawa. The primary focus of Hall’s work is visual storytelling. She received the Silver Award for Best Use of Historical Processes during her studies at SPAO. She is an active member of the film community in Ottawa, and volunteers her time with the Independent Filmmakers Cooperative Ottawa as an assistant technical director. She continues to navigate the practice of slow photography using traditional, analog methods.

KATE OAKLEY

Immigrating to Canada as a teenager, Kate Oakley is a former academic researcher and lecturer in the psychology of aging and perception. After providing palliative care for her father, she searched for deeper self-expression through art. After completing the 2-year Fine Art program at the Ottawa School of Art in 2012, Oakley was awarded the Lee Matasi Memorial Scholarship Award, and nominated for the BMO First Art Award. A recent graduate of SPAO in 2024, receiving the Best Portfolio award in 1st year, Oakley extends her practice to explore emotion and spirituality through photo-based multi-media art. Her work appears in private and public collections in Canada and internationally.

LIAM O’BRIEN

Liam O’Brien is a digital lens-based artist with a focus on post-production and documentarian work. O’Brien’s recent projects consist of Disorder- a series about his daily routine as someone with OCD and Rental Life- a commentary on the housing market for single and low-income families in April 2024.

ASHERIIA ADKHIKARI

Asheriia Adkhikari is a photo-based artist from Ukraine. She started taking pictures at an early age. Asheriia tries to get to the heart of her subjects and show their unique personalities. Her passion for photography is evident in how she captures each moment's essence, creating timeless images that tell a story.

KAMRYN WOLOSCHUK

Kamryn Woloschuk (b. 2001) is a queer emerging artist from Thunder Bay, Ontario who’s practice consists mainly of photography and poetry. Recipient of the Luna Bursary at the School of Photographic Arts: Ottawa, as well as a Youth & Cultural Funding grant from the City of Thunder Bay for a photography book on youth mental health, Woloschuk is dedicated to her practice as a means of contributing to conversations on social issues. She embraces diverse approaches in equipment and subject, exploring both analog and digital formats while ranging from traditional landscapes to experimental portraits… and whatever else she may find in between.

SHANE ARMSTRONG

Shane Armstrong is a visual artist who explores the convergence of the physical and digital worlds. Born in Washington DC and raised in the United States, he investigates the world’s cultures and searches to find different philosophies to live and experience life. He crafts worlds to communicate complex emotions. His goal is to have his ideas find their way to permeate into the real world for the world’s enjoyment.

MANFRED MUELLER

Manfred is a still-life photographer and retoucher. As a former professional engineer and designer, he spent decades representing three-dimensional objects in two dimensions, a technique referred to as orthographic projection. His work often takes simple, man-made objects, crafted to create complex images. The use colour lights, and smoke transforms and adds drama to the work, whether they are deep space structures or creatures found here on earth. Imagination, strong craftsmanship, and attention to detail are the hallmarks of his work.

MARTINE MARIE-ANNE CHARTRAND

Martine Marie-Anne Chartrand is a photo/process-driven artist living and working in Aylmer, Québec. Each new photographic process explored offers her new possibilities of expressing and understanding the world of the unseen emotions lived through experience. These past years, Martine has been documenting the development of her mindful relationship with the Outaouais River with her pinhole and medium format cameras. Recently, Martine has been exploring reusing/repurposing used materials. She engages with organic materials and expired photographic substrates, and combines them with alternative photographic processes that are more gentle on the environment.

JUDE PETER

As a conceptual photographer, Jude merges diverse artistic techniques from various mediums into his prints, crafting a unique visual narrative that embodies his identity. Currently, he is deeply immersed in experimentation, seeking to create art that reflects his identity and experiences. As a photographer, Jude predominantly captures images of people of color, to change their underrepresentation within the art world. Within his photography, Jude endeavors to not only capture but also interpret the essence of his subjects, offering a perspective that seeks to elevate their presence and celebrate their stories.

KAYA COMEAU

With training in both commercial and fine art photography, Kaya showcases a versatile portfolio rich in documentary and self-portraiture. Photography becomes her cathartic journey, aiding in reclaiming their identity amid past trauma and transformative life events. Recognizing bias inherent in all work, she navigates creation with this personal mantra, while still committed to truth. Boldly addressing overlooked or taboo themes, Kaya offers a nuanced depiction of the human experience, revealing art's power to unite diverse backgrounds. Her work prompts viewers to courageously confront and embrace life's complexities with empathy. Through their lens, Kaya invites us to explore the depths of existence, fostering connection and understanding.

Interested in applying to our two-year college diploma program? Learn more about the program, the work of past students, and alumni achievements by clicking any of the images below.