Visual Arts graduate Elle Chae paints a piece of art for the Department of History

The impressive painting produced by artist Elle Chae, entitled Either everyone or no one, is the result of a partnership between the Department of History and the Department of Visual Arts. The painting, which measures four and a half feet by six feet aims to increase students’ pride in history—their academic discipline—and to inspire them by highlighting their interests.

“We have a very diverse Department, and we have very diverse students and student interests. We want to show the way our Department has changed and become far more inclusive, dynamic and multidimensional,” explains Department chair Jeffrey Keshen.

According to Jeffrey Keshen, Elle was approached to produce the work because of both her incredible talent and her experience in depicting faces and symbols. A very recent uOttawa graduate, she distinguished herself during her bachelor’s degree studies in visual arts, making the dean’s list from 2007 to 2011 and taking home several scholarships, including the Edmund and Isobel Ryan Scholarship in Visual Arts (painting).

The artist says she feels a sense of belonging toward the University, and she accepted the Department’s offer because she wanted to work with her alma mater and because she’s simply passionate about her art. “I love painting, and painting something related to history is something I’ve never done, and I thought it would be an exciting project,” says Elle.

Elle Chae’s painting is currently on display at the Department of History, located at 155 Séraphin-Marion. It will be showcased in the Department of History’s new seminar room once the academic unit relocates to the Desmarais Building.

To learn more about the artist, please visit her blog [external site, in English only].