Short Bio
art.amf is the abstract and conceptual digital illustrations and manipulations of Aaron MacEachern-Flatt, a local Toronto artist.
Statement
art is has no limits, art has no boundaries.
art is about being fearless.
art is about creating, exploring and innovating.
art is subjective; art is objective.
art can heal.
art can pose a question; art can answer a problem; art can solve a problem.
art can calm the most violent situation; art can provoke.
art has no beginning; art has no end.
art is therepeutic, for some even a release.
art can possess or lack emotion.
art comes from within.
art is everywhere.
everyone has the ability to be creative in some form, when we are ready to open ourselves up to gift, only then shall we receive it
Biography
Art should be accessible to as many individuals as possible.
Aaron MacEachern-Flatt started his business, art.amf, with this guiding philosophy.
His business not only showcases his own work, but he hopes to also develop and assist other non-professional artists, specifically in the LGBTQ2IS community, to grow and flourish as well.
'Ive had a lot of help and a lot of cheerleaders in my corner over the last couple of years. In time, I want to give back and help other artists find their place as well. For now I can giving them a place to display their work digitally. I hope to develop resources that provide mentorship, along with help in developing some of the key parts of establishing themselves as an artist. One of my big goals is to create a bursary that can assist one artist per year financially with costs to start their artistic career.'
With an objective of developing workshops on artist resumes, business plans, grant writing, installations, exhibitions and galleries, he hopes to have well respected artists, gallery owners and curators participate to share their experience and knowledge.
Born and raised in the Maritimes, his passion for creativity started at a very young age, leading up to studies in Photography in his late teens and early 20’s. He worked in the Photography industry for 4 years as a freelance Photographer, photo Journalist with the UNB newspaper, along with working part-time at various photo labs during that timeframe. However,
After many years of work in culinary arts, food and beverage and retail management, he returned to creativity within the Fine Arts field, finding anunknown passion for drawing. One evening while outside he noticed some dry paint on a concrete wall and could see shapes that resembled many things. After taking some photos, he loaded a free application, sat down and began to draw. What he produced were thirteen original pieces of art. At the time, his only tools were his phone and his finger. He started to show these pieces to some friends, along with some artists he knew. The resounding feedback was that he should explore this further.
COVID had just begun, he was in the midst of changing directions after preparing to launch a business that would not survive the pandemic. He began to put all of his energy into this endeavour and started to photograph shadows, paint, and cracks in the pavement. What he now calls 'shapes that shape the shape' is a massive collection of his starting points for his work. He uses these images, a process known as 'pareidolia' as his inspiration.
His ability to capture these conceptual images through this unorthodox starting point, has allowed him to produce authentic and unique abstract digital art. He uses bold colours to narrate these whimsical stories.
MacEachern-Flatt wanted to develop a model for showcasing his own personal works along with creating a safe and diverse space to collaborate with other visual artists. His goal to align himself with Toronto's 10 year plan, sees a major focus on public art and installations. His short term goals of having installations in both the Pride 22 event, as well as Nuit Blanche 2022 will provide some great exposure.
MacEachern-Flatt has a goal of making art accessible to as many people as possible, along with helping to show that art has the power to change, heal and motivate individuals. He knows all to well the positive effects that creativity can have on ones spirit.
'I was lost. I was drifting and floating. Art was my raft, and my buoy. I would have been sunk without it. It was the only thing that gave me purpose each day and the only thing that got me out of the dark place I had found myself. COVID was a very challenging time for me. Art saved me. I need to give back now. Its a must.'