Joya: AiR / Katie So / CAN

“I arrived at Joya: AiR in the dark—after sunset and without an idea of what my week there would look like.

By morning, after a coffee, after petting the dog, after feeding the goat, I understood that it’s best not to know what to expect from this sun bleached bastion at the top of a hill, far from everything else.

It’s quiet, for one thing. Quiet during the days, only my own self-deprecating thoughts to distract me—otherwise perfect for focus and reflection.

I drew a lot of rocks, a surprising amount of rocks.

After each evenings’ ritual of watching the sunset behind the hills, the tranquility of the day is disrupted by the residents sharing stories, methods, ideas, gripes about the world outside, all over a nourishing plate of food.

How much easier it is to be creative when you’re being fed and inspired, with space to think and make, unconcerned about the traffic of the commute home at the end of the day.

The pool isn’t half bad either”.

Katie So

Katie So is a multidisciplinary artist based in Vancouver, BC. Drawing on their acute sensitivity to sensory stimuli, Katie captures the essence of fleeting moments, infusing their practice with a keen sense of nostalgia and emotional depth. Their work serves as a poignant reflection on the subtleties of daily life, depicting snapshots of sensory impressions and the nuanced emotions tied to ephemeral memories.

Katie has showcased work in Canada and the US, and continues to diversify their studio practice by attending local and international artist residencies.