Toronto-based image-maker Pat O’Rourke is the focus of the first film in a new trilogy from Canadian directors Paul Johnston and Adam Beck, which explores the lives of young artists who are making their mark on the world. The trilogy is supported by global creative project The Creator Class; a community of visual storytellers led by and for its members, helping them to turn their passions into a lifestyle and a living.
Self-taught photographer O’Rourke has amassed a dedicated online following thanks to his combination of skate culture and documentary imagery, capturing life on the streets of his city.
Johnston and Beck’s miniseries accompanies their feature film of the same name, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival’s Next Wave program.
Keep scrolling to view a gallery of stills from the film and to read an exclusive interview with Pat.
We talked to Pat about his life, his art, and what it's like to be a young artist today.
Q. Your images capture the surprising found in the everyday. What influenced this style, and where did it come from?
I guess like many artists it's something internal that I can't really explain—it's just where my eyes go. I do however think it has something to do with being a hyper-aware and anxious person, which is both good and bad. I remember at a very young age always pointing out things I noticed that were interesting, or weird. I think once I started trying to use a camera to document these moments, people were interested in what I was shooting. That alone pushed me to keep making things.
Q. As well as a photographer and filmmaker, you're also a skateboarder. How are these different practices connected for you?
I have been skateboarding since I was ten years old and I'm now 29, so for the majority of my life. Skateboarding definitely has had an indirect impact on the how I shoot today. When you're a kid skateboarding is all about learning as many tricks as you can as fast as possible, but as time goes on you become more obsessed with how you do each trick, what the spot looks like.
Q. What drew you to photography over other artistic mediums?
A little bit of luck maybe. Photography was definitely the most convenient and accessible form of art for me at the time. You don't need an expensive camera to make images. I didn't go to school for photography, and I think sometimes that was an advantage to continuing to do it long term.
Q. What challenges and opportunities do you face being a young creator today?
We definitely live in a weird generation for art with the internet, but I try to embrace it and use it to my advantage. I like the fact that you can use the internet as your own little gallery, and you can sort of just put something up and chances are someone will see it. That's cool to me.
Q. What would you like to achieve with your future work? What's next?
I want to travel more. I find that whenever I'm in a new place I feel recharged creatively and come home with like a million ideas. Lately I've been brainstorming ideas for more video projects. I would love the opportunity to collaborate with an artist who trusts me with directing my first music video. I also have a project called Rental Magazine which I started online in 2016, and I'm going to be releasing my first physical issue in the next two months which I'm super excited about.