This article is a transcript of a videoChetChat with Al-qawiNanavati, a Junior at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). She talks at Chet Chat about her journey from a painter to a multimedia artist, career advice for Art Students, how to pursue a career in fine art, how to become an artist, how to study in art school in the USA, how to be a part of art exhibitions early, her style of work, housing at SAIC and lots more.
1. About the SAIC –
- Al-qawi talks of how she went to School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) as a painting major, took up courses in photography and print media and is now on the way to become a multimedia artist
- Departments of fibre and material studies, film video new media, painting, drawing, photography, print media, sculpture, ceramics, also a writing program.
- As a school they make you think
2. Choosing Majors
- You don’t need to choose a major in SAIC
- She has taken a class in fibres, art therapy, painting, drawing, photography, print media, sculpture
- Some courses in art history, liberal arts, social sciences, natural sciences etc. are mandatory pre-requisites
- You can be a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Studio (Degree in Art)
- You can also do Architecture or Visual Communications
- Fine arts academy with a fine arts course
3. Early Interest
- Her father was very interested in Art
- He encouraged her from a very early age to be an artist
- She always wanted to be an artist and not design
4. Advice to High School Students
- If you’re not entirely sure you should explore more
- She did not know about print media practices till she went to college
- Ask other artists and be sure of what you are getting into
- Understand your chosen medium
5. Activities
- She is part of the student programming board at School of the Art Institute of Chicago
- She is a residence life co-ordinator
- Has got a job as a teaching assistant
- She is a leader with Namaste SAIC
- Leading ‘SPEAK’ a sexual assault awareness
- A mental health awareness group called ‘ACTIVE MINDS’
6. Assessment
- There is no GPA in The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
- Attendance is given importance
- Critiques are done on the work
- Most students go in for a Cold Read
7. Class Sizes
- Small class sizes
- Makes it difficult to get into classes
8. Career Advice for an Artist
- Career and Co-op centre for artist career advice
- Volunteer at places to teach
- Initially you would need to struggle – assist an artist, gallery assistant, do an internship
- On Facebook you can join groups that have call for artists
- Start off in your first or second year
- Build your own website and keep updating your work
- Have a resume that you are filling out from the first year
- Multimedia artist career advice
9. Her work and inspiration
- Al-qawi follows Islam, she is an Arkhani Muslim
- She has a series called Bandagi which is inspired by repetitive prayer
- Used screen printing to make repetitive prints
10. One word to describe the school
- Diverse, Accepting
- The school is open to new ideas, events, large international student body
11. Housing
- School of the Art Institute of Chicago dorms
- Housing is very comfortable