By Sunny Li
“In the cluttered and fast-paced environment we live in today, a powerful art piece is able to distract our attention from what we're doing for even the briefest moment.”
Such simple yet insightful words fit the characteristics of Julian Hodgson-Thom, a prolific visual artist at Collingwood School. Blessed with a strong artistic inclination, he dares to treat his work with boldness and creativity, and yet he spares his time generously on meticulous details, believing that each brushstroke matters.
Julian’s eyes sparkled enthusiastically when inquired about his favourite artist: the influential painter Jackson Pollock, who committed his entire life onto piles of canvases. “He was able to manipulate colors, lines, textures, lights, and contrasting shapes,” asserted Julian, “The emotions were so strongly embedded into his painting that they immediately appeal to the eye and mesmerize the brain.” The place for his favourite piece of artwork, however, is firmly reserved for Fred Herzog’s Hasting at Columbia, an iconic photograph in vibrant colors that never fails to touch any ordinary heart.
“In the cluttered and fast-paced environment we live in today, a powerful art piece is able to distract our attention from what we're doing for even the briefest moment.”
Such simple yet insightful words fit the characteristics of Julian Hodgson-Thom, a prolific visual artist at Collingwood School. Blessed with a strong artistic inclination, he dares to treat his work with boldness and creativity, and yet he spares his time generously on meticulous details, believing that each brushstroke matters.
Julian’s eyes sparkled enthusiastically when inquired about his favourite artist: the influential painter Jackson Pollock, who committed his entire life onto piles of canvases. “He was able to manipulate colors, lines, textures, lights, and contrasting shapes,” asserted Julian, “The emotions were so strongly embedded into his painting that they immediately appeal to the eye and mesmerize the brain.” The place for his favourite piece of artwork, however, is firmly reserved for Fred Herzog’s Hasting at Columbia, an iconic photograph in vibrant colors that never fails to touch any ordinary heart.
Although Julian was exposed to an artistic environment at a young age, it was the experience of visiting museums and exhibits that allowed him to see art through the lens of a diverse range of famous artists. The way viewers admired Picasso’s art strengthened his desire that someday, people will recognize his artwork in the same way.
Countless years have passed since then, but his determination to transform his passion into a career has never wavered. Thanks to his hard work and an innovative portfolio, Julian has been accepted to a variety of well-known art universities for illustration, foundation, and cartoon design, including OCAD, CAD, Emily Carr, and Sheridan College, as well as having been offered scholarships for the top art university, California College of Art and Design.
He expresses his gratitude towards the resources available to him throughout his years at Collingwood — ranging from the continuous accessibility of materials to the valuable advice provided by teachers — that shaped him into the artist he is today. Keeping in mind of the burgeoning artists in Collingwood School, Julian encourages them to sharpen their skills to better construct their ideal image. “It’s necessary for athletes, musicians, and singers to practice everyday, so why would it be different for us artists?” he suggested. We wish Julian the best as he takes his dream to a higher level next year, in whichever university he chooses to attend!
Countless years have passed since then, but his determination to transform his passion into a career has never wavered. Thanks to his hard work and an innovative portfolio, Julian has been accepted to a variety of well-known art universities for illustration, foundation, and cartoon design, including OCAD, CAD, Emily Carr, and Sheridan College, as well as having been offered scholarships for the top art university, California College of Art and Design.
He expresses his gratitude towards the resources available to him throughout his years at Collingwood — ranging from the continuous accessibility of materials to the valuable advice provided by teachers — that shaped him into the artist he is today. Keeping in mind of the burgeoning artists in Collingwood School, Julian encourages them to sharpen their skills to better construct their ideal image. “It’s necessary for athletes, musicians, and singers to practice everyday, so why would it be different for us artists?” he suggested. We wish Julian the best as he takes his dream to a higher level next year, in whichever university he chooses to attend!
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