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.

andy gomez

interview by anoushka nair / photographs by valerie chen

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

To have fun! In the beginning, I was a perfectionist so I didn’t know if I would like to try different things, because I didn’t think I would be good at it. But we have to remember to have fun and be adventurous, because if you’re not having fun with your work, why are you doing it in the first place? That’s what got me into experimental animation, its part of what I love doing and a major part of my practice; so go out there and have some fun, don’t think too much about it.

What would you tell first-year students?

Try everything. This school is full of opportunities and you’ll miss it if you don’t look for it. I’m a tour guide in the university so I really got to learn a lot of places that may be hidden to other people. Take classes that you would never take, I took a sound class and now I’m into sound mixing. So just experiment with whatever the classes have to give you, because it’ll help you alot and it’s very fun. You’ll find yourself in the new experiences too.

What do you hope a viewer gets out of your work?

I just want to do stuff that I enjoy seeing. I do so many different things and so many styles with different materials, so I try my best to have fun doing them. I make something I enjoy sharing with people and I think the people would enjoy too.

Do you have a favourite part of the artistic process you work in?

I like doing material related stuff, so seeing everything together is the part I enjoy the best. Sometimes it looks like the way I want it, but it also helps me figure out what else I want to do, seeing everything together is the most enjoyable moment. It’s worth it.

What’s the most unusual thing about your art?

I use everything; I go from using a paint to just glitter animation - very fun. Working with materials. We have so much garbage in the studio because I just like experimenting with many things. I’m working with rubber gloves for one of my animations, trying to use materials with whatever the thought is, but sometimes my materials are hard to find, and people question what I use - it’s just fun.

What’s the best reaction you’ve gotten to one of your artworks?

I’m currently working on my grad film and I realised all of my work is different, from my first work to the one that is coming - they’re all very different and I was very nervous of how people will receive it, since it's a very sad story put in a very fun way.

However, I got a lot of support that I now believe in my project more. I received support from people I never excepted from. I have staff members in the university helping me; technicians helping me do voice acting. Trying to see people relate to my stuff, it what makes me do my work.

What are some misconceptions about your practice in general that you’d like to correct?

People think it’s very easy because its just drawing, however I have to do 24 drawings just to get one second of animation. I think people believe that it’s just drawing so it’s easy, but there are so many rules.

Even with experimental animation, its not just throwing paint and that’s experimental art; it’s about making the paint move in a certain way, using different materials. It looks easy because you see it done but many people don’t see the process behind it.

What do you envision ‘Tender’ to be? What does ‘Tender’ look like to you?

Tender feels like a hug. I feel very comforted, like a warm space where I can lay myself and just sink into it and exist. It doesn’t have to be anything complicated, it’s just like a warm breath, where I feel comfortable and cozy. Its like the texture of a hug, when you hug a person you feel very warm.

Does the word ‘Tender’ tie in your practice as an artist or designer?

I think most of my work is kind of nostalgic and melancholic. It’s not tender in the way I described before, but it becomes tender in the way I work for it. I try to put my soul into whatever I do and try to make it comfortable and relatable for people and you can find tenderness in that. There’s a tenderness in the connections you find with people.

faces of emily carr - artist spotlight