We met with the talented Percy Eriamiator, a multidisciplinary artist telling stories through several mediums. Whether through photography, textile art or creative direction, she invites you to see the world through her lens.
Percy, The Waking Woman: An Invitation to Connect and Interpret Her Work on a Deeper Level, Finding Your Meaning and Connection with Her Creations.
Precious “Percy” Eriamiator is a Nigerian-Canadian multidisciplinary artist. Her most explored mediums are photography, creative direction and textile art. Her photographs intend to spark a conversation within oneself and highlight memories and stories of people and culture. Her work explores portraiture, storytelling and documentation with a strong presence of coincidental detail. She is cognizant of her surroundings and the conversations being held around her. Percy holds these connections dear by recreating and repurposing them.
How did you become an artist?
When I was growing up, I was always interested in the arts. I think it started with just fashion and then slowly integrated into photography. I’ve been very interested in visual art, especially storytelling since I was younger and still do it now and that is dope. From when I was young, I started with textile art and am now fully into photographic production. Now I can say I’m an artist because I’m a little grown.
Why do you think you weren’t an Artist at that time?
I think I was a child, at that time I had to listen to my family, you know, you’re under their belt so you’d want to listen to them because they want the best for you. But after high school, I started feeling I had more liberty to see the world in my way and do things the way I want and that was where the artistry took off for me.
How do you decide your themes?
My work is deeply personal and often serves as a visual outlet for my experiences. Photography, in particular, has become a way to process my life. For instance, a period of isolation and self-discovery inspired a series focused on themes of withdrawal and introspection. Essentially, my art is a reflection of my journey, drawing from the stories and emotions that shape my everyday life.
With other people’s stories, do you try to tap into their feelings without relating to them?
To truly capture someone else's story through my photography, I believe in empathy. It's essential to step into their world and understand their emotions and perspectives. This connection allows me to bring their vision to life. Whether it's a deeply personal portrait or a joyful celebration like a birthday photoshoot, I strive to embody the spirit of the subject. If I don’t do that, it won’t come together as they want and I won’t feel like I did a good job.
Does music influence your art?
Absolutely! I love music, a religious music person here. I don’t know how specifically it influences or inspires my work, but I know that whatever story I’m telling, comes from what I’ve heard, conversations I’ve had, and my environment as a whole. So I feel like, listening to music is part of me being in my environment. Unconsciously, it does have its influence, but I’m not taking it in while it is happening. Later on, I find out that the things I said or the colour scheme were influenced by a song I listened to. A music video or a movie soundtrack does influence it.
What inspired Waking Woman?
I was in Mexico for my birthday in January and on my way back on a flight, I had time to ponder with my eyes closed I was thinking about all the things that had been happening in the past couple of months and started to feel a lot of anger about how things played out with people and I was like why do I care so much? I shouldn’t care as much as I do. I opened my eyes and felt like I should stop giving so much of my time, effort, and emotions to something that doesn’t serve me or something I can’t control. That’s how The Waking Woman came about.
How do you feel about exhibiting your work? What does this exhibition mean to
you?
I’m very excited, I’m all women women women every day, all day. So being able to showcase my work alongside other black women is a good thing. I’m looking forward to seeing other artists and their works, saying hello, and networking possibly. The idea of “Hey Sis...” is phenomenal in my opinion. So I’m looking forward to being in the space and taking it. Also attending the activations that are set up with it. It is always a great opportunity to have people experience your art the way it’s intended. I don’t like to show my work online, it is not just fun for me, I don’t care for it. I’m more like the real-life type of artist, having the opportunity to show people my work and for them to see it in real life and experience it the way it’s supposed to be.
I’m very appreciative of this opportunity.
Are there any particular pieces in this exhibition that hold special significance to you and why?
It has to be The Waking Woman that’s the most intimate, the most personal to me because it is my story. Being able to tell it by incorporating my creative direction, and textile art, and also bringing down a model to be a part of it. Waking Woman is the closest to me. It is about an epiphany I had about how the world works, how relationships with people can be, and how you have to step out of a situation not serving you.
What advice will you give any aspiring Artist?
Don’t tie your work to anyone but yourself, because when you tie your work to the purpose of getting reactions or responses, you begin to lose the purpose or interest in your work. So do whatever work you’re doing for yourself. It doesn’t matter what the reception is, you always feel good that you were able to create. That’s something that helps me keep going and creating pieces.
What should our guests be most excited to see in your exhibition?
I’m excited for visitors to take the art all in, and form their unique interpretations. I hope the exhibition will spark conversations and a deeper connection to the art. And of course, I'm looking forward to meeting everyone and sharing the experience.
Lastly, How do you relate to the word "sis"?
Sis to me means sisterhood, being my sister’s keeper, occupying every space a woman can be present in
Ọ̀KẸ́ is on a mission to unveil cultural riches, showcasing our similarities and experiences in each exhibition. Find out more about Hey Sis...
Hey Sis... is supported by STACKT and RADRCanada.
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