Today we’d like to introduce you to Oksana Kami (Fedoruk-Terleckyj).
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’m originally from Ukraine. I studied art history at Lviv National Academy of Art (Ukraine). After graduating with an MA, I moved to the US and pursued photography. I presented my poetry and graphic art in a personal exhibition entitled “In Search of the Fifth Element” in Lviv, Ukraine in 2006. I took part in a number of other art exhibitions with my images and as an art critic from 2001 to 2010. A hardcover collection of my poetry titled, “Being,” was published in 2013 featuring graphic art along with writing. Within five years after settling in Chicago, IL, I went through a transformation which finally lead me to portrait and fine art photography as a field where I could share what people in front of my camera were about and what I felt about it. I did weddings for a while; however, after dramatic changes in my life (in a two-months period I lost my father and became a mother myself) I felt that portraits and fine art conceptual photography are the closest to my worldview.
Please tell us about your art.
In my portrait photography I see each person individually. It’s not even necessary to talk, I’m just trying to get into everyone’s hidden beauty and show not only something visible to people, but open them to them, empower them and feature their inner light. That’s what gives me joy and happiness. I love to discover each person and built that invisible connection, that helps me to catch their true being. Even though I photograph smiley expressions, I prefer to find sparkles of people’s soul, which is definitely easier to see without a smile. I want people to feel amazing, great, gorgeous, strong and happy; however, it’s as important for me to capture their true side.
In my fine art work, I combine traditional photography with digital manipulation to create images that resemble oil on canvas. I’m trying to incorporate esoteric themes into photography work. Through my work, I try to convey the idea that time is not linear. In a world where all moments exist simultaneously, one can change her past as well as her future. This multidimensional world allows us to visit the world of our dreams or to face our worst fears. By sharing my main message about searching for the purpose of life, my intention is to motivate people to realize all possibilities to find everything they’re looking for. My work is existential in a way; however, I believe that opening yourself through catharsis is the way that leads us to a new level of being. It’s mirroring the hidden side of inner and outer reality, which should help the viewer to go deep into their own worldview, feel that each and every moment of life and death is meaningful, find their inner light, accept their darkness and find their own strength. Photography is my way of talking to myself and to the world. I love observing life and its laws. I love expanding my own limits. I love when people expand their own limits. And, I love to create little quiet conversations about this through my pieces.
Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
If creating is truly your passion, you’ll find a way to create no matter what. However, in order to create AND feel financially confident, you should learn a lot of fields continually: marketing, sales, psychology, metaphysics, you should value yourself, your work and your time, and you should become a true master. Sometimes it might take many years, but you either keep going this way, because it’s something you truly want, or you pick another way, which is totally fine. Listening to your inner voice will always help to make this decision.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My portrait photography can be seen at www.kami-photo.com, @oksana. kami (Instagram) and Oksana Kami Portraits ) Facebook. Also, my work was published in Ukrainian Chicago magazine (magazine cover #19, #15, #14, #12, #11. #10, #9, #6, #4, #1), and Shutter Magazine, January, 2018.
Fine art photography can be found at www.kamiartphoto.com, @madame.kami (Instagram) and Oksana Kami I Fine Art Photographer (Facebook).
Exhibitions:
Artbox Project, New York, 2018
Presence, Duo Exhibition, Chicago, 2017
“Hust-2010”, Group exhibition, Hust, Ukraine, 2010
Your Angel, Lviv, Ukraine, 2009
International symposium “Hustshchyna-2007-Zakarpattya”, Hust, Ukraine, 2007
Work of Art by Art Critics, Lviv, Ukraine, 2007
Kryla, Annual exhibition of young artitst, Lviv, Ukraine, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010
In search of the 5th element, Solo exhibiton, Lviv, Ukraine, 2006
Reszeto, Exhibition of young artists, Ternopil, Ukraine, 2003
Reszeto, Exhibition of young artists, Chervonohrad, Ukraine, 2002
I’m doing personal photo sessions, which might be either portrait or fine art. Also, my limited edition art prints can be purchased as an individual piece.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kami-photo.com; www.kamiartphoto.com
- Phone: 8478571828
- Email: oksana@kami-photo.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/oksana.kami/ ; www.instagram.com/madame.kami/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/pg/KamiArtPhoto ; www.facebook.com/oksanakamiart/
Image Credit:
Makeup artists: Estelle Fox, Alex Boiko, Demi Wise
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
