Kayla Ether

Where do you live: Montpellier, France. 
Art in three words: Raw, Intuitive, Healing.
Discipline: Visual Artist.
Website | Instagram

Your art is deeply personal, exploring themes of transformation, resilience, and impermanence. How did your journey through Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome shape your artistic vision?

Living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome has taught me to embrace the fragility and resilience of the human condition. The unpredictable nature of the syndrome parallels the themes in my art—transformation and impermanence. It has given me a deeper appreciation for life’s fleeting moments and the beauty within those transitions. My work is a reflection of this journey, seeking to capture the raw essence of growth, decay, and renewal. My disease taught me that some things are out of our control, so it’s necessary to let go. I portray that visually in my art. My body, constrained by this rare disease, endured severe physical challenges, leaving me to rely permanently on a cane. Art, for me, is not an escape from my circumstances. It is a necessity, a response to the persistent question: “Am I still here? Am I still something beyond the physical limitations that define me?” Art becomes my survival, my way of proving and reminding myself that my existence still holds meaning beyond this “temporary home.” I believe that our bodies are but temporary homes for our spirits—our souls.

The concept of “wither” and “ether” in your project statement is poetic and profound. How do these ideas manifest in your creative process and artworks?

“Wither” represents the process of decay and decline we undergo, reflecting mortality and the passage of time. “Ether” symbolizes the immaterial space between the tangible and intangible that connects us to all things—the essence that transcends the body. The “Withers” I portray in my continuous series of “Ether’s Withers” are abstract entities—metaphoric ghosts and spirits, biomorphic forms inspired by critters, insects, and animals, even fleeting or permanent feelings and thoughts. Together they speak of the cycle of life—an ebb and flow between loss and renewal. In my creative process, these concepts come to life through my choice of materials and techniques. I embrace imperfections, natural wear and tear—the passage of time, allowing the materials to evolve organically and tell their own stories by observing the natural world more deeply.

Kayla Ether | Mollasse, molasses | 2024

You exclusively use recycled and organic materials in your works. Can you share the inspiration behind this practice and how it reflects your philosophy?

My use of recycled and organic materials stems from a desire to leave a positive, non-destructive environmental trace in this world. Growing up, I had to be resourceful with whatever I had. Waste is a dishonor to the gift of nature; we as people should challenge the disposable nature of modern consumption. Instead, we should look at everything around us as something that can be rebuilt and repurposed. The materials I collect or have found all have histories and imperfections that resonate with my artistic themes. By repurposing them, I breathe new life into what was once discarded, reinforcing my belief that beauty and purpose can be found in the overlooked and forgotten.

How has your Afro-Latina heritage and connection to your ancestors influenced your artistic themes and materials?

My Puerto Rican heritage is a vital thread in the fabric of my art, deeply connecting me to a lineage of resilience, creativity, and a profound relationship with the earth. As I continue to explore and learn about what has been lost over time, this journey of discovery fuels my creative process. Through my work, I pay homage to my ancestors and the struggles they faced, both historically and in the more recent generations of my family. I incorporate organic materials and traditional practices that emphasize sustainability and resourcefulness, bridging the past and present. Each piece I create honors their legacy, while also reflecting the ongoing process of uncovering and learning from the lost pieces of our history.

Kayla Ether | Xibalba | 2024

Your works embrace imperfection, drawing inspiration from Wabi-Sabi and other philosophies. How do you find beauty in flaws, and how do these ideas resonate with viewers?

I find beauty in flaws by embracing things for what they are, rather than what they could be or once were. Imperfection, to me, is where true beauty lies—it tells the authentic story of life as it is, not as we wish it to be. Drawing from the principles of Wabi-Sabi, Mingei, and Sōdeisha, I celebrate impermanence, imperfection, and incompleteness as integral parts of the human experience. Mingei’s focus on the beauty of everyday objects and the value of the hand-crafted speaks to me deeply, as does Sōdeisha’s approach to non-traditional techniques, which honors the organic and evolving nature of the medium. These philosophies invite us to find worth in the raw, the real, and the imperfect. I believe they resonate with viewers because they mirror our shared human experience—our vulnerabilities, growth, evolution, and the inevitable passage of time. In this light, we all connect with the universal journey of life, coming to a place of acceptance and understanding.

Living between cultures, from Puerto Rican roots to your life in France, how has this duality shaped your artistic identity?

Living between cultures has given me a unique lens through which I view the world. My Puerto Rican and a touch of Italian roots ground me in tradition and heritage, while my life in France exposes me to diverse perspectives and artistic practices. This duality creates a rich interplay in my work, where contrasting elements—past and present, raw and refined—come together to form a cohesive narrative that reflects my identity. It’s a constant balance that shapes my artistic vision.

Kayla Ether | Guani | 2024

The loss of your grandparents had a profound impact on you. How does their memory live on in your art and creative practice?

I lived with my grandparents for about a decade. I am eternally grateful to have experienced their love and care during such formative years as a child and teenager. My grandparents, Enrico and Aurelia, were the keepers of our family’s stories, traditions, and values. They taught me through lessons and mistakes how to resource from what we had and what was around us—recycling, paying attention to what goes into our bodies, valuing what we have, and, most importantly, practicing appreciation and gratitude. Their influence is woven into every piece I create. Through my art, I honor their legacy by exploring themes of memory, loss, and continuity. Their resilience and wisdom guide me, reminding me to approach my work with intention, love, and a sense of connection to those who came before me. Living with my grandfather, an artist himself, guided and influenced me towards this path.