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Cécile Gariépy, BFA 13, still isn’t quite sure how she carved out a career as an illustrator and visual artist.
After graduating in film production from Concordia’s Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema, she intended to work as a director. When people called with contract offers, however, they were more interested in the illustrations she drew for fun.
Gariépy embraced the change, one that has led to collaborations with MU, Montreal’s Place des Arts, Apple and The New York Times, among others.
“I’ve always been really grateful for whatever happened to me — I was very lucky,” she says. Gariépy caught MU’s attention after she painted the walls in her garage and shared the photos on social media. The organization called soon after to ask if she would pitch a mural idea for the Town of Mount Royal Curling Club. She did, the idea won, and the rest is history.
“Given my background as a filmmaker, I enjoy working with a big team to push my ideas further. I miss that as an illustrator,” Gariépy says. “But when I paint murals, it’s nice to get a team and work hard on something together.”
Among the MU projects Gariépy takes the most pride in is “Chez Nous,” a mural to celebrate the Office municipal d’habitation de Montréal’s 50th anniversary in 2019. “It was a very big wall, it was very hot, and it was very high,” she recalls. “I am proud of that one because it was not easy.”
Looking back on her experience at Concordia, Gariépy is thankful for how it continues to influence her work on a daily basis.
“The degree gives you perspective on your own work, and a big dose of humility,” she says. “Concordia helped me in many ways — it’s a great community. I’ve kept in contact with many friends I made there, and it’s amazing to see what they’re up to now.”
