Interview with Julianna Damer

Can you give a quick introduction?

I am a photographer who is interested in expanding beyond photography and working with sculpture and textiles. My practise works around creating visual spaces around people.

How did you start this project and why?

This was one of my 4th year thesis projects. Its started from a personal place; I was feeling vulnerable and helpless in some aspects of my life. I started making sculptural things and the project became something over time. That's the weird part about my process, it expands and turns into something I never expected.

What's your creative process with this project?

One thing that was important was that this was my first time working with sculpture; working with plaster and materials that make sculptural forms. I did a lot of research on how to make them. I went to a lot of shows and looked at what contemporary artists are doing right now and took inspiration from them. Often part of my process is seeing a lot of work not in just Toronto but also Montreal. I want to see as many shows as possible.

What emotions are you feeling about showing this work publicly?

I first showed this at Max-Ex. I’m really excited to show this work as a solo show and hopefully expand my audience to people who are not affiliated to Ryerson or people who are passing by and just see it. My work really is better experienced physically because it plays with 2 and 3 dimensions.

What’s integral to your work as an artist?

Part of what I think is important is creating spaces and visual material to allow people to think beyond photography as a flat medium. Photography as a tool that demonstrates how to see things through different perspectives. Playing with 2 and 3 dimensional things are important to me.

What role do you have as an artist in society?

I think it's about showing people that there are different ways of looking at things. Mundane things can be experienced through a different lens, through a different perspective. I want people to think about the process instead of just the end product.

How has your practice changed over time?

I have a background in clothing and textiles. Coming into the photography program I thought I’d be interested in fashion photography but it really shifted to thinking about media. I think that my practice has changed from just photographs of objects to incorporating those objects in the space. I want to embrace materiality in all forms.

Who do you draw inspiration from as an artist?

I’m really inspired by sculptures. I like to look at artists that do what I do; other artists that employ sculptures.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I think what I like about working with photography and sculpture is that you can create these playful spaces. I use both because I can create spaces that people can walk around and experience in different ways. I’m excited to see people reacting to things and the associations that they see in the work at a gallery space.