Narmin Kassam

Where do you live: Ottawa, Canada.
Describe your art in three words: tactile, vibrant, depth.
Your discipline: Mixed media.
www.narminkassamart.com | Instagram

Could you tell us about your journey as an artist and how you first became interested in creating art?

My journey in art began in childhood. Initially self-taught, visual art became my passion. I was a very shy young woman and, like many, conscious about my body. Visual art became my place of safety, solitude, and a conduit to my true emotions. I felt most inspired – and most at peace – in art galleries. I became inspired by impressionist painters like Monet with vibrant and light-filled paintings, loose brush strokes, and an emphasis on atmosphere over detail. As I developed, I enjoyed incorporating paper into my artwork. I began discovering colours, textures, light, and depth as symbols of my deeper self. Art became a safe space for affective expression, a space of belonging and freedom. 

Narmin Kassam | Beautiful Voice, Collection 1 | 2021

How did your studies with Gordon Harrison influence your development as an artist?

I have been influenced by Gordon’s bold, vibrant, and dynamic use of colour and fluid, with sweeping brush strokes. He taught me to dedicate time to paint consistently, use quality tools – paints, canvases, and brushes, and develop my portfolio of work. He encouraged me to find my unique style and refine my techniques. Although Gordon is primarily an expressive landscape artist, he was very supportive of me focussing on subjects and styles that resonated with me. He guided me to relax, loosen my brush strokes, and let go of my fears. He believed in my talent. I was the first of his students to ever bring paper into his studio and glue it to canvases! 

Narmin Kassam | Beautiful Voice, Collection 6 | 2024

How do you choose the materials and techniques for your mixed media works, especially the textured and Japanese decorative paper?

I have always had a visceral connection with paper. Central to my process is my diverse collection of textured papers sourced from Japan, India, and other regions. I have a particular affinity for Japanese decorative paper because of its traditional hand-crafted methods that date back over a thousand years. The paper is known for its vibrancy, strength, and resiliency – like the women in my paintings. With their array of colours and textures, the papers ignite my creativity as I run my fingers across them, connecting deeply with their unique qualities. This tactile engagement inspires the figures and shapes in my paintings, helping me envision forms and compositions. When translating these inspirations into paintings, especially of human figures, I emphasize texture and colour interplay. I also spend time curating the specific colours and patterns that enhance the figures in my artwork. For example, designing dresses and styles based on how the light will reflect on the paper to enhance each figure. Each paper is cut to precision to blend and enhance the painted components of the piece. Each figure owns her unique style. By carefully choosing papers and employing techniques like palette knife work and layered acrylics (heavy to gouache), with varying opacity, and mediums (vitrail, gold foil, and moulding paste), I create depth and highlight the individuality of each figure, conveying a distinct story through varied textures and hues.

Narmin Kassam | Beautiful Voice, Collection 3 | 2024

What role does meditation play in your artistic process?

Art is my meditation. Integrating paper with the visual burst of paint has become a meditative practice that has allowed me to express affect and experience a spiritual connection while staying grounded through life’s endless struggles. When I make art, it clears my mind and helps me momentarily detach from the physical world. It will sometimes open a flow state, creating space for new insights. The process can have a calming effect, reducing feelings of stress and anxiety, which also allows me to experiment and take more creative risks. I have been living with chronic pain and art has been the key to day-to-day functioning by allowing me a space to calm my body and focus on the positivity of creation and inspiration. 

How has your style evolved over the years, and what are some key factors that have contributed to this evolution?

Experimentation with different techniques and mediums has been key to my evolution; studying other artists, seeking mentorship, receiving critique from other artists, and allowing mistakes. I have been developing my recognizable style and making art that I want to make rather than the art others want me to make. I am pushing my boundaries. This is an evolution of my personal development from subdued, structured, and perhaps restricted to brave, fearless, and bold. The canvas is where I sometimes see my soul. I invite viewers to catch a glimpse of theirs. 

Narmin Kassam | Beautiful Voice, Collection 4 | 2024

How do your personal experiences and background influence your art?

Perhaps inspired by my roots as an African-born woman and a refugee, each figure in my paintings represents the beauty and pain of this world. Her voice can be heard and expressed in thought, style, ethnicity, and shape. I live my purpose by translating inner thoughts into tangible artwork. Each piece mirrors my self-discovery journey, forging deep connections with myself and sometimes others. The process bridges my narratives with the outside world. Expressing my emotions on canvas creates space for healing and self-acceptance. As much as I embrace the solitude of my process, I also care deeply about my community – locally and globally. I have, at times, engaged communities through collaborative art in the form of murals, inviting others to explore shared experiences. This has enriched my journey and I hope to empower others to find their voice.

What advice would you give to emerging artists who are just starting their creative journeys?

Study approaches of other artists and take advantage of visiting galleries and museums. Find your unique style through the exploration of different techniques and mediums. Push your boundaries. Go beyond your zone of comfort.  Don’t play it safe by painting the same type of painting; it is ok to make mistakes and take risks. Paint as much as possible to continue to refine your technique and competence. Create the art that you want to create – that is meaningful to you. Some will resonate with it – others will not. And that is ok.