Through Thy Lens

      It’s been a while since Through Thy Lens tapped into local (Ottawa-based) talent. After sharing the stories of artists based in different parts of the world – from Istanbul to Yaoundé via Paris and Helsinki, we are back in Ottawa with its ever-growing creative potential. Today we dive into the world of Nigerian artist Ataisi Adiari who happens to have more than one string to her bow. When she is not gracing our feeds with her portrait photography, she is a singer, dancer and writer. She has agreed to share her story and photography with us today. Enjoy!

• Who is Ataisi Adiari ? How would you describe yourself in a few words ?

Ataisi Iris Tony-Adiari is a free-spirited person (or at least I try to be). I sometimes feel that there’s more to who I am. I am constantly peeling back the layers of my life and discovering who I truly am. In three words, I would describe myself as Hopeful, Strong and Perseverant. There are experiences in life that force me to hope for better things, to stand strong in trials, and lastly to push through to the other side. And I owe all of these
qualities to God for giving me the heart that I carry, that allows me to see the beauty in darkness and make others see such beauty also.

• On a scale from 0 – 10 ; how would you rate your interest in photography ? 

I would rate my interest in photography as a 9. I am constantly thinking of ways I can make myself stand out as a photographer and how I can define my own distinct path. I cannot say a 10 yet, because I believe that there is more I can be doing right now to go above the threshold I am currently at.

• What kind of photography are you most drawn to ? Portrait, Landscape or Abstract ?

Initially, I was drawn to landscape photography, because nature is the realest form of art out there. Then I didn’t want to shoot people; I felt it wouldn’t be easy to mould them into what I wanted. For instance, to shoot a sunset, as much as I would have to control for factors such as lighting, etc., I don’t need to tell it to pose this way or that way, it is naturally posed. But I kept getting contacted to shoot event sand people, and in that I developed a certain interest in editorial photography. I started seeing a certain way. When I shoot, I try to do the “same” thing in a unique way, by letting my personality be reflected in the photos.

• When and how did you develop your current passion for photography?

Honestly, I had a family friend who I admired very much. She went to this certain high school, my parents made me go to the same high school. She was schooling in the UK, I wanted to school in the UK too. It clearly didn’t work out because I am in Canada now. And then she started photography and I thought that was cool too. She was quite “free” and I felt I could relate with her. So before I came to Canada in 2011, I planned on studying photography, but that didn’t work out either because the school I was in then didn’t offer it. However, the desire didn’t die. In 2014, I got connected with Robert Odudu of Odudu Photography. We talked a lot about photography and he helped me buy my own camera in April of 2015. I am currently in a church where we’re bustling with creativity and I am surrounded by people like @fokhus, @giftedvisions and @insight who inspire me with what they do and I appreciate each and everyone of them and others who have supported me and motivated me along the way.

• How would you describe the impact of photography on your life ?

It definitely impacts the way I see. It’s like even when I am not holding the camera, I feel like I’m looking through a lens. I am definitely more aware of my surroundings. Sometimes I joke about and say that being a photographer humbles you. You are not in the spotlight, you learn to be in the background. You do so much but you are not be the centre of attention, and I am grateful for that lesson.

•  What inspires you ? 

Change; To see positive change in people’s lives especially in the lives of women. While
in school, I studied Women’s Studies and Economics. I recognize the situation of women and children in this world is not ideal at all. There’s a lot of pain that women bear, and sometimes I just want to be able alleviate such pain. I believe a lot of joy and warmth was placed in my heart to share with others. I want to see women being the best they can be, being who God has made them to be.

•  As a young African woman living in Canada, what’s your take on the role creativity plays in your personal narrative ? 

Ohh the role creativity plays in my life is quite huge. I feel through photography, I’m one of those women pushing certain boundaries. I’ve had times when I shoot and people ask me ” are you a professional photographer? ” in that mocking Nigerian accent and sometimes I wonder if it’s because I’m a woman or it’s the way I look, it actually confuses me at times lol. It’s definitely forced me to be bolder and comfortable with people’s gaze: I shoot at church, so I move around a lot in the service and people are constantly watching me. I get to step out of that “girly” box and feel free, I get to jump on stage if I need to or chairs to get a certain shot. I’d see Arnold (giftedvisions) do it and say if he can so can I. It definitely brings out the adventurer in me. It’s a career not too many African women are encouraged to engage in. But it’s nice to see a generation of African women rising up and entering male-dominated spheres in the arts also.

• What’s next for you ? any projects or ideas you would like to share ? 

Right now, I do have certain art projects in the works. You’ll have to keep up with my social media to see it when it’s released.

• What advice would you give my readers ? 

Do not give up on your dreams, it’s clichè but it is true. Writing this post made me realize how long it actually took for me to do photography. If you have an idea and it feels like
everyone else is doing it, do it anyways, because you and every other person are not the same. What you do will differ from theirs because it carries your own imprint. Lastly, be proud of what you have, don’t look down on yourself. It may look like a little plant now, but through enough care, watering and pruning, that little plant can grow into a massive towering tree. Invest in your ideas, stay committed to them and watch them manifest. I hope these words touch you. Thank you 🙂

           Thank you for sharing your story with us Ataisi. You can follow up with her work on her instagram and facebook pages @ataisiiris, as well as on her photography website : www.ataisiiris.com