An Artist’s InSight: An Interview with Tavish Gillian

A close up view of an abstract flower constructed with strips of paper and found objects, including buttons and yarn, sprouting from the center of the flower against a backdrop of soothing yellow, blue, and green watercolor paints.

June 6, 2024

Every year since 1992, blind and low vision artists across the globe send impressive artworks to the American Printing House for the Blind for its annual Insights Art Competition. An international program, in years past the InSights Art Team has received entries from China, South Africa, the Philippines, and more! Recently, the InSights Art Team got to catch up with one of this year’s participants to find out more about what inspires him and his art.

An abstract flower constructed with strips of paper and found objects such as an acorn, buttons, and yarn, sprouts from the center of the artwork against a backdrop of soothing yellow, blue, and green watercolor paints.

Tavish Gillian, a twenty-year old artist from London, Ontario, has been entering his artwork into the InSights Art Competition for the past two years. This year he was selected to exhibit his two-dimensional artwork, Memories of CNIB Camp Joe, at the InSights Art Exhibition, which falls during APH’s Annual Meeting in October.

The inspiration for Tavish’s entry is all thanks to CNIB Camp Joe. Founded in 1961, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) Camp Joe rests on Lake Joseph in Seguin Township, Ontario. This exciting recreational spot was established with the hope of creating a safe, accessible space where Canadian individuals of all ages who are blind or low vision can enjoy the excitement of an inclusive camp and community.

During his time at camp, Tavish recalled hiking, rock climbing, and enjoying a ride in a pontoon boat on Lake Joseph. After returning, he started to create! Using a variety of blue, green, and yellow watercolors to add dimension to the backdrop of the artwork, Tavish employed the wet-on-wet method by applying wet paint to a sheet of wet paper to create an incredible combination. Viewers of this artwork take in not only the gorgeous array of colors, but also a variety of tactile elements. Cutting strips of colorful paper and using a stack of multi-sized buttons in the center, Tavish created a dazzling collage that resembles a flower sprouting upward. Yarn weaves across the bottom of the artwork, much like roots on a stem. An acorn and leaf that Tavish collected while he was at camp are included in incredible detail, immortalizing his time there.

When asked what he wanted people to experience while viewing his artwork at the exhibition this fall, Tavish expressed his hope that viewers would know just how much CNIB Camp Joe has impacted him. “Enjoy it,” he said.

Apart from his artistic endeavors, Tavish also studies braille and O&M.

Memories of CNIB Camp Joe will be on display at the 2024 InSights Art Exhibition in Louisville, KY this October. You can read more about the InSights Art Competition by visiting the InSights website or joining the InSights Facebook group.

To learn more about the Canadian National Institute for the Blind’s Camp Joe and other programs, visit the CNIB Foundation webpage.