Student feature – Narin Shech

Bio
Narin Shech is a first year grad student in the MFA for photography program at RIT. She has multicultural upbringing (e.g., Panama, USA) and attained a BA in economics from Rollins College in Winter Park, FL. Narin’s work deals with tensions within the spectrum of femininity, including the feminine ideal, representation, and objectification. Relatedly, she examines aspects of the human psyche within the feminine spectrum like anxiety, obsessiveness, perfectionism, paranoia, etc., and within the subject of voyeurism.

What was your most challenging assignment as a photography student?
[N.S.]For me the most challenging aspect is less to do with a particular assignment and more to do with aspects of creating art. Technical, emotional, and conceptual challenges constantly arise when you are creating. I believe that one of the most challenging aspects is allowing yourself the time to go through a process; allowing moments of failure to strengthen your work instead of weakening it. In other words, be it because of technical issues or conceptual ones, pushing through any discouragement you might feel when the process of creating your work isn’t going as planned. Every moment of success is usually followed by a moment of self-doubt; can I create something good again? The most challenging aspect is to continuously answer yes.

What do you love about the school?
[N.S.] What I love most about RIT and about the MFA in photography program is the community. For an artist, community is crucial. Your level of growth and success is in no small part attributed to the individuals who share and aid in your process. Everyone is significant, my professors, as well as my graduate and undergraduate student colleagues play a pivotal role in my artistic development. From the moment I began the program I was thrilled to realize how willing everyone is to offer aid marked with genuine care and kindness. Professors are always available and easily accessible, and my fellow grads offer constant help and support through lively conversations and active participation in photo shoots. I cannot overstress how unique our community is and how proud I am to be part of it.