## Breadcrumb
1. [Home](/index%2Ephp/)
2. Profile
3. [Farihah Shah](/index%2Ephp/markdownify/node/2727)
# Farihah Shah
Photography, 2016. Lens-Based Artist, Program Coordinator, Experiential Learning at OCAD U's CEAD
Contact Information
Graduation Year2016
KeywordsFaculty of Art
Photography
> It was important for me to find folks who have the strengths I was working on and who helped me to learn things I couldn’t learn in the classroom.
**What Program did you graduate from and when?**
Photography major and a minor in Integrated Media.
**What is your current title or role? (ie. freelance designer, art practitioner, etc.)**
Program Coordinator, Experiential Learning in the OCAD U’s Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD). I identify as a lens-based artist in my freelance practice.
**Why did you choose to attend OCAD U?**
OCAD U is the only art/design school I wanted to go to because of the facilities for analogue printing in photography. My goal was to end up in Fine Arts. I knew I wasn’t interested in doing commercial photography and needed a creative outlet.
Something that also helped my decision was the Ontario University Fair. I spoke to representatives at Ryerson and U of T, but the representatives at OCAD U were personable, answered all of my questions and encouraged me to go to the open house. I knew what I wanted, and I also knew I’d be paying for university out of pocket, so I wanted to invest wisely in my education. At the OCAD U open house, I saw the work that was being made by students, met OCAD U Technicians, and toured the facilities. This helped me to make my decision
**Please briefly describe your current job/practice.**
In the CEAD, I facilitate relationships between new and existing partners for for-credit placements for undergraduate and master's students. My other duties include advising, facilitating workshops and resource development within the scope of the CEAD.
My practice is mostly in Fine/Contemporary Art. Through my work, I explore my cultural identity, land as it pertains to identity (including landscape) and collective memory through photography, media, installation and soundscapes. The more people ask where I am from, the more I strive to answer that question for myself. I enjoy exploring my background. I’ve always been interested in history.
**How did you get started in your career?**
As an artist, I was always interested in photography. My dad had a 35mm camera that I wasn’t allowed to use until I learned the basics of using it correctly, and so, I took a class in high school. We had access to a darkroom that I used as much as I could.
After high school, I went to business school for HR. After completing that degree, I decided to pursue photography as a career. In my 4th year at OCAD U, I applied for the [Artscape Youngplace Career Launcher](https://careerlaunchers.format.com/ayp-photo-2016) and was in a group show. From the group show, I was selected to be the recipient of the solo show. After completing my thesis body of work *Prefix*, I doubted whether I had it in me to make another body of work. The Career Launcher opportunity challenged me to make new work without the pressure of professors or being in a class environment. The Career Launcher gave me a chance to spread my wings and gave me confidence that I am an artist. The new series gave me a lot of credibility and notoriety with various organizations such as Artscape Young Place, Critical Distance and Koffler, who I didn’t know were checking out my work. I didn’t realize the impact of my work until I met folks years later and they told me they have been following my work since the show in 2016.
**What were your policies regarding internships, volunteering, and paid work?**
I wasn’t able to do internships as an OCAD student because I was also working full time. I volunteered for OCAD U Graduate Exhibition. After receiving the Career Launcher opportunity, I volunteered to be on the jury to make upcoming selections. I took a year off from school in between OCAD U and York. I forgot how to be a student. My 1st year was understanding how to be successful in this type of university. I asked a lot of questions to technicians, professors, students and staff and got involved in a lot more at OCAD U than I did at York.
**What do you enjoy most about your work? What is the most challenging aspect of your work?**
I am constantly challenged to think about what the best solution will be for the student I am meeting with. Our approach is not cookie cutter. I want to make sure I understand every student I speak to find creative ways to solve any problems they may be facing. I’m always excited to see student work. I’m often blown away by some of the 1st/2nd-year students, their passion and drive.
I enjoy building a lot of relationships that benefit my artistic practice. Building a community has helped me to keep a thumb on the pulse of what’s happening in Toronto.
Time is a challenge. When do you stop and take a break from making work? I often feel guilty about not putting time into making new work. I am a commuter, so when taking the train, I get strong ideas about projects I am working on. I have to remind myself that it’s okay to take a break.
**What skills or relationships developed at OCAD U helped you participate in your field? Is there anything you would have done differently?**
My Professors in 2nd year helped me a lot. I had Marc Losier for two classes a week. I had a car accident that year and told him about it. His critiques were amazing. He told me I had good ideas but poor execution and to either focus on the conceptual side or execution. I went to his office hours and fleshed out my ideas more, and spent more time understanding different avenues of expression in the arts. I experimented with video, editing on a laptop, performing in front of a camera, exploring movement and how it’s related to photography. I began to understand what media the work needs to be in for the right expression I was trying to get across. I dove deeper into knowing what skills to improve. Jenn Long and Marc in 3rd year ran Art Camp - a residency between OCAD U and Ryerson. Marc encouraged me to apply. This was the first exhibition experience and the first time applying for a show. Through this experience, I built a relationship with Jenn, who became my thesis advisor. That relationship has led to other relationships. I’m thankful that Jenn and I kept in touch. She shared opportunities to volunteer, apply for shows, and speaking engagements that then become paid. I built a relationship with folks from the CEAD and kept in touch with Miles Collyer. I built connections with technicians while I was a student. Shout out to Hugh Martin – who I still go to for my printing and mounting to this day. The OCAD U Photo community is very strong. Our 2016 graduating year keep in touch with each other. Because of connections with fellow alumni, a few of us did the CONTACT Photography Festival together. These are the people I bounce ideas off of when working on new projects. It was important for me to find folks who have the strengths I was working on and this helped me to learn things I couldn’t learn in the classroom. My advice is to use all the resources OCAD U offers. I got a peer mentor in 1st year and was a peer mentor in 2nd year. Shout out to Brent James!
**What are the key responsibilities you maintain for your practice?**
Organization. Knowing when open calls are in advance so I can prepare materials to submit. Keeping an eye out. Attending shows to get a good understanding of different types of work represented by that gallery or space. Networking. Introduce yourself to other artists. Collaborate on projects. Through my connection with the CEAD, at GradEx, I was introduced to Alexandra Hong, Founder and Co-Director of the art collective, Madeleine Co. At the time, Madeleine Co. was working with Alia Weston and Zev Farber (CEAD), on a short pilot project, which eventually became the CBC Arts digital series *This Art Works!*
My advice is to always be genuine in your connections and collaborations.
**What are your personal and professional goals for the coming years?**
I want to push and explore my practice, make new work and find new creative outlets and collaborations. And, I want to buy studio equipment.
In my professional work, I enjoy resource development, classroom engagement, delivering classroom presentations, building new partnerships through personal relationships. I have always wanted to work at OCAD U, so I feel very lucky to be living the dream.
Prefix, 2016 
Prefix, 2016 
Prefix, 2016