getting to know the graduates
Graduating Student: Leah Byck (S 22)
My process paper and grad exhibition captures a little bit of everything from the start of my program at VCFA. My paper is a journey through my semesters at VCFA and how I found, through my artwork and research, that I was always doing intersectional work whether I saw it or not.
My grad exhibition shares my personal and communal journey with intersectional identity and multiple intersecting social justice movements that I, and my community, are part of. While the Covid-19 pandemic is not the main focus of my paper and exhibition, this has completely impacted my work and what I chose to make throughout my time at VCFA.
Who, or what is your work in conversation with?
My work is in conversation with artists like Kehinde Wiley who portray figures of marginalized people on a grand scale and as the main subjects. My work is also in conversation with artists that are making whiteness and white bodies strange, such as Mores McWreath.
As I use many mediums to share the intersectional social justice movements in my work, my work has gained insight from all of my artist mentors’ works as well. Each artist mentor of mine is pushing what it means to be marginalized and also centered in their work, which pushes both, my artwork and theirs on who is being talked about, represented, and celebrated in artwork.
How did VCFA change your approach to thinking about your studio practice and your community at home?
VCFA completely changed my thinking and approach to my studio practice because of our requirement to include research into our practice. Before my time at VCFA, I hadn’t done extensive research on topics, but after this program I have learned how important it is to have backup knowledge about a subject or idea one is making visual artwork about. I will continue to use this understanding after my time here at VCFA to continue doing research alongside my studio work.
My community at home continued to expand throughout my time at VCFA. It continues to get bigger as I’ve explored different mediums, and has become a safe space to share my ideas and work. I am grateful to VCFA for pushing my thoughts, my mediums, and for the chance to open my ideas up to what it means to be a visual artist.
What was on your play list during your time at VCFA?
1st Semester Playlist:
WTF Do I Know, Gimme What I Want and Plastic Hearts – Miley Cyrus
The Less I Know The Better and Yes I’m Changing – Tame Impala
If You’re Too Shy (Let me know) and Love Me – The 1975
Something to Believe in – The New Respects
2nd Semester Playlist:
Something Tells Me, I Was Wrong and Rose Leaves – BAILEN
LOST IN THE CITADEL and THATS WHAT I WANT – Lil Nas X
Godspeed – Frank Ocean
HUMBLE. – Kendrick Lamar
Where Are We Now – Mild Orange
3rd Semester Playlist:
Colors – Black Pumas
Wedding Singer – Modern Baseball
Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America, The Sound and Give Yourself a Try – The 1975
The Wire and Little of Your Love – HAIM
When the Party’s Over, Happier Than Ever and NDA – Billie Eilish
4th Semester Playlist:
Music for a Sushi Restaurant, Treat People with Kindness and anything by – Harry Styles
Anything with the Beatles, Prince, Fleetwood Mac, Stand by Me – Ben E. King
Pillow – Jakübi
Too Good – Arlo Parks
Talk It Up, The Feeling and Kick It to Me – Sammy Rae and The Friends
(And SOOOOO many other amazing songs I can’t add because the list will never end)!
Who are your favorite protagonists in fiction?
Greg Heffley from Diary of a Wimpy Kid (These were the first books that made me love to read)
Blanca Rodriguez-Evangelista – Pose
Michonne Hawthorne, Maggie Greene and Tara Chambler – The Walking Dead
Sophia Burset, Poussey Washington and Nicky Nichols – Orange is The New Black
Kai Bartley – Grey’s Anatomy
What, or who, should you like to be – if not yourself?
I have always dreamed of being a bird or a monkey. To be able to soar in the air or swing through trees whenever I want would be a dream come true. Plus, then I would have free access to sports games, concerts, and artist talks. LOL!
What is your favorite bird?
I have so many! I adore chickens and their spirits (and bonus if they are running with pants on). Parrots are so queer, beautiful and colorful. I love hummingbirds, blue jays, and cardinals because of their vibrant and saturated colors, and their uniqueness. Birds are amazing!
Where do you live?
I currently live in New York (very close to NYC) but am hoping to live in other parts of the world before moving back into the NYC area.
Alumnx: Andrea Taylor (S 14) Vancouver, BC, Canada
Josephine Chase (S22)