Art Words

Three women, three media, three interpretations of why art matters in today’s world.

KALEY FLOWERS

Location: Toronto Insta handle: @kaleyflowers Medium: Ceramics

When did you start calling yourself an artist? “I can’t exactly remember when—I’ve been keen on drawing and crafting since I was very young. I didn’t consider myself a professional artist until after I graduated from OCAD in 2015.” What do people think your art is trying to say? “People often tell me that my work makes them happy—that it is fun, thoughtful and a unique approach to ceramics.” What are you trying to say with your art? “My art is all about reinterpreting the craft of ceramics, which is deeply rooted in rich, diverse traditions. My interest in digital culture, however, has led me to use clay as a material to solidify the ephemeral, fleeting nature of technology into tangible objects.” How do you see the world differently than others? “I try to be mindful and positive but also aware and critical of the complexities of everything. It’s important to escape that personal bubble from time to time.”

MARIA JOSE GOVEA

Location: Los Angeles Insta handle: @thesupermaniak Medium: Photography

When did you start calling yourself an artist? “The kind of work I do is certainly on the artistic spectrum of photography, but I’ve always been more comfortable calling myself a photographer. It’s more practical.” What are you trying to say with your art? “I try to capture raw energy and beauty in motion.” How do you see the world differently than others? “We all see the world differently. I just figured out how to use my camera to show my point of view and what I think is pretty, powerful, honest, important.” Why does art matter? “Because it’s an incredible tool to express our human condition.”

QUINN ROCKLIFF

Location: Toronto Insta handle: @quinnrockliff Medium: Interdisciplinary

When did you start calling yourself an artist? “Calling yourself an artist is like promising yourself to keep creating long term, so making art part of my identity was an important moment of deciding to use my artistic practice and experiences to unpack both my personal traumas and my reflections on women’s issues in society.” What do people think your art is trying to say? “Most people still equate nudity with sexuality, but in a time when images are shared so freely—and often without consent or a context—I’m trying to get people to think critically about the link between those two things.” What are you trying to say with your art? “The nudity portrayed in my work is not only about sexuality; it’s about owning your own image and consent and controlling how the image is shared and viewed by others.” Why does art matter? “I hope that my work sparks conversation and reflection.”