Inevitable

Kiama Sophia

What pieces or projects have you been working on lately?
I participated in a group show at the beginning of March, where I exhibited two paintings. The show’s theme explored the space women claim in a male-dominated world.

What did you learn (or unlearn) while working on it?
Actually, it was my first time responding to a brief of such a serious nature. My work is always very playful and fun, with a light meaning and story behind it. This time I dug a little deeper, but the pieces are still very fun and cheeky.

What words, ideas or emotions were running through your head?
At first, it was a lot of imposter syndrome, but then I came to a place of calm and the ideas started flowing really effortlessly. I drew meaning from some past traumas, and it felt quite empowering to be able to express those feelings through my work.

Were there any conversations, movies, music, or books that made their way into that work?
I looked through all the books I own featuring the work of Botero, Hockney and Magritte for inspiration.

What’s been the most difficult thing you’ve faced recently in your creative process?
Finding time to balance everything. I went through a bit of a lull with my work over the past few months, where I had no desire to create and no new ideas. I took a lot of time to sit with that and move through it patiently, and now, over the past month, I have too many ideas to keep up with! I feel like I have a million different projects on the go at the moment, but I love it when it gets like this. I thrive in fast-paced environments.

What is your favorite coffee shop and why do you like going there?
Cafe Bautier. They serve the most delicious seasonal food and drinks, the setting is very peaceful, and they have a perfectly curated selection of books, groceries and homewares in their shop. It’s an inspiring place to visit and work.

If your life were a movie this month, what would it be called and who would write the soundtrack?
Inevitable. Soundtrack by Funkadelic.

Which studios, laboratories, or workshops have you collaborated with recently or would you like to collaborate with in the future?
I’ve been working on a lot of very exciting collaborations with brands and businesses behind the scenes, but I’m not allowed to share much about them just yet, so stay tuned!

Recommend one or more artists you follow who inspire you, and tell us what you like most about their work or their way of working.
I love Jean Jullien for his use of colour and layering, Jaime Hayon for his playfulness and the way he adapts his art across multiple mediums, and Genesis Belanger for her cheeky approach, just to name a few.