THE MEANING IS IN THE WORDS, a curated collection

Guest curators share the art that influences their creative lives. In our Guest Curator series, we feature a local tastemaker in Canada and share their favourite works of art on Partial.

“Most graphic designers may not openly admit it, but we spend hours agonizing over font choices. We know instinctively that typography is not a casual affair: that the shape, spacing, and weight of a character will dictate the mood & urgency of a message.

When choosing art, I gravitate toward artists who sense this as well: that the medium of typography is an art unto itself. This can be represented differently of course: in the case of Zana Wensel's work, the words are the art entirely. But in Parastoo Mahmoudi's Forgotten Respect, the characters over the image intensify the drama of the moment. As a packaging and brand designer, my eyes are always roving over signage and packaging, trying to determine whether or not the execution has served its intended purpose. In the case of Melissa Fice's Moss Park or Cody Greco's Matchbox: The Lobster Pot, I feel that these artists are also looking at life through that same lens.

This collection is a celebration of how typography goes beyond merely a means of communication but can evoke meaning and create a connection between a work of art and its patrons.”

– Amanda DeVries

Amanda DeVries (she/her) is the owner of Eye Candy Design, a boutique branding and packaging design agency in Southwestern Ontario. She grew up in the strong food culture of her South Asian parents, married an organic vegetable farmer, raised 3 non-picky eaters, and is surrounded by people who celebrate food as much as she does. She also works in prop styling and interior design consulting. You will often catch her in the kitchen trying to upgrade her Indian culinary skills or rummaging through a vintage store.