Karissa Hill
My name is Karissa Hill, I am an artist and reflexologist. In my practice I guide the body through physical touch, soothing the nervous system through the roots of the feet; and through guided visual mediation to balance and ground the mind.
Through my art I explore the subconscious mind, the intricate and obtuse nature of habits we all form. Exploring substances that have negative impacts on the physical body that are toxic. Without even being physically touched, the body can still be feeling hurt or affected by the energy of a substance even by the word itself.
“The fear yet seduction of archetypes such as cigarettes, sugar, relationships, connections, or even perfect product, health routine, is what drives my inspiration. All of these exist and will not be completely destroyed or eliminated so how can we transform them into shapes that can shift and heal.
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Utilizing the brain and body's natural desire to be attracted to beauty, shifting the substance into a beautiful form/appearance to trick the body into relaxing into its value and place within the world outside of the body. Allowing the natural compulsion for beauty to relax the fear of the substance. Reminding us that even beauty is rejected and feared, yet is what the body visual craves.
When we relax and accept our natural desires, this is when the mind and body can work together. We can begin the healing of trusting the body and nature know how to recycle, release and let go anything we no longer need. Allowing anything to pass through to find its place and home in the world. When we invest or ingest something physical, material or deemed 'toxic' that it is only for a period of time, it will naturally fall away, taking new form, and the body and earth naturally replace it with another. Then we can decide if the substance, in its new pattern, is something we want to welcome into the home of our body in physical consumption, keep it as a thought, display it and just share the energy within a space or leave it in its place in the world behind us.
Breaking a veil where the subject is “toxic” yet can still be consumed to have a healing affect just by shifting its relation to the body and aesthetic; therefore, purpose in space. Letting go of its past purpose or the person who previously consumed, just a chance to appraise the substance for its role here and now.
In the exhibition Simple Reflections, I explore the bodily form of cigarette ashes. Taking a spin on how ‘sitting’ is seen as the new ‘smoking’. A concept that seems to be shifting in the world of earth and wellness. Shifting our attention from one natural disaster, to another area of our health to fear and 'fix'. When we can all relax, knowing that when we focus our attention to one small shift, it can have a rippling transformation. That there isn't anything to fix, as nothing can be destroyed, it is our duty to love and accept. Choose to immerse in the energy or simply walk away. Walking away doesn't make the substance go away, just allows for another person or place to embrace in its weighted pattern. Allowing our mind and body to still be at ease knowing that someone else can enjoy.
It was very fitting to have a room full of dancers while I rebirth from the ashes the body once again on canvas. Dancing is a form of artistic expression that also allows the body and brain to create new connections, counter balancing and releasing any 'toxic' substances within the stagnant space of an empty room, or stagnate energy within the body in real time movement. Movement helps the body learn new patterns within the nervous system, naturally creating new neuro-pathways. I hope each artwork allows the viewers' mind to dance - a fluidity to allow new - nuero pathways to form.
I also participated in dance performance, such as salsa and bachata. I love how it allows people to act out the concept of two structure (body) in partnership in trust. To have a true dance, both parties have to be fully present in their body. Giving over to the malleable nature of their limbs in space. Allowing the music to flow, yet both bodies work off of each other to create the pattern in space. It is never fixed, always transforming, different every time, location and even audience. Leaving an artistic expression in the shape of their movement. Yet what is released during the dance that is not seen - a physical release of toxins of the body through movement, breath, and presence' - but felt as a passionate performance of feeling by the audience. Again, expressing how art can be both healing for toxic and expressive energy. Showing fear and love are vibrations just at different levels of the ability to be seen and perceived. Negative 'toxic' and positive 'pure' are always there working together to find balance in any moment, body or space.
Each time I make a piece with the ashes I try to give thanks to the person who received these 'toxic' blend of materials. I focus on the smoke that gave their body some release from stress. Trusting the movement of their breath and body create a unique dance and pattern within them that shifts in each moment. Without judgement I take the material from their release and transmute it. Knowing and trusting the lungs naturally know how to detox and let go - as they are alone in their detox, but apart of a network of systems system that play a role in the body - that is always interacting with its external environment.
I believe we are all just trying to find a place of peace. Coming home to our heart, the walls that is our skin, the ceiling that is the mind and floor that is our feet. I think art can be that healing centre, that warm blanket that comforts the walls of our home. Art can be a great physical reminder that we are all trying to feel safe, and it is okay to consume things to honor the sensation of touch that we all crave. We forget that our skin is always being nourished by the simple air around us, but objects allow us a guide to play.
I am fascinated with all things sensory. How the subconscious mind keeps us safe through fear. Exploring materials that break down the body or involve fear. How we are all seeking comfort and even materials or acts that are labeled bad can be healthy based on the experience, time, and consumption - but it is all broken down to expression and perspective. Since the body is always growing and transforming. We can learn to let go, create space. A home seems empty without art, it is a space that feels vulnerable. It is vulnerable to us to admire we need something to fill a void within the walls of our body. How can we express them outside the body and build them back up in a beautiful way when they have become heavy within? So, we can create new space for something inside to birth to repeat the cycle.
“Every artist has a similar story of how they grew up drawing, or being creative. We are all artists and birthing an expression with material is more natural when words feel forced. It is a way to leave a mark or impression that allows space. That space is healing for both artist and viewer.
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When did they start their professional career? 2015 after graduating undergrad I would say that when my professional career as an artist took off. Expanding into the world through set design and applying art skills to life and other jobs.
Creating a mural for my high school program. It was the first experience I had creating an image and then letting go of the outcome and sharing the creative process with others. Even others who were not exposed or experienced in art or painting. It added a level of give and take that was an amazing space to share. The face it still stands in the halls were learning takes place is powerful, a reminder that every person and subject has their creativity. Much like every substance has their polars, we can always shift our perspective and transform a substance.
I would like my art to be healing. To allow fear to be replaced with beauty. To remind us that all material, all forms in life are all at different frequencies and levels. What is consumed will be let go and transformed in some way. I hope it gives them a space to remember to breath. Trust that their body knows how to cycle and recycle with the space around them. If they simply find the shape, it is okay to transform and it is okay for beauty. It is in beauty that we can appreciate the darkness, or heavy materials of life and learn to digest, and building them back up.
I believe I started drawing around grade 3 or 4. Dancing came to me around grade 6. I always had a natural talent for dance, but never had to confidence or trust in my body. I cared art throughout university, and I think it was difficult and burnt me out not having a physical outlet link dance along side of it. s year I have been allowing my body and soul to express in both the physical space with dance and material of art. It is a beautiful process I am excited to keep expanding.
The way it helps connect people. How you can feel so in your head, yet once the piece whether it is dance, art or music. It will always find someone, something or some place where it resonates. That alone is true love, expression of vulnerability. It was so amazing to have all three forms of art in the same space, I felt truly at home during that moment.
Karissa J Hill
O.C.R Certified Reflexologist
