Karine Demers or the saving power of art
Since she was little, Karine Demers has suffered from eating disorders and severe anxiety. In 2013, when she was at the end of her rope after a toxic work experience, she decided to resume practicing art. It would change her life.
After studying interior design and building design, Karine held various positions in several industries. None of them were her passion, but they provided her with a livelihood. And then one day, everything changed. The environment in which she worked was so unhealthy that she fell ill. “I was in such a terrible state that I couldn’t imagine going back to work,” she recalls. The young woman isolated herself, no longer saw anyone and suffered from major depression. Her demons – eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders and anxiety – resurfaced. During a psychotherapy session, her therapist encouraged her to resume the art practice she had been doing when she was younger. This then provided Karine with the lifeline she needed. By keeping her hands and mind busy, she managed to chase away her bad thoughts and control her eating disorders. Little by little, she also regained her self-esteem. Without work and without a salary, she decided to sell everything she owned to devote herself to creation. "My art books, my collection of blown glass, my furniture, everything went. My boyfriend and I also sold our small house to move into a modest apartment." But the sacrifice was worth it. Soon, her neighbors and friends bought her first works. One of them, a gallery owner and patron, organized her first solo exhibition in 2018.
FREEING YOURSELF THROUGH THE CREATIVE FORCE OF ART
The exhibitions follow one after the other and Karine makes a place for herself in the demanding world of art. Immediately recognizable by their unique style, her paper works halfway between painting and sculpture, suspended in space or framed, seduce collectors with their complex composition, their play on light, the cadence of shapes and colors. Based on the regularity of sequences or the accumulation of thin strips of paper, these reflect the cycle of life while spreading a feeling of serenity.
In this repetitive gesture, practiced for hours, the artist herself finds a calming effect, as beneficial as mindfulness meditation. “Before, I had a lot of OCD. I was constantly replacing objects in the house to the nearest millimeter, which annoyed my loved ones. Today, I do it in my paintings and I have peace with those around me!”, she says with a laugh. Thus, what was initially associated with an impulse and psychological disorders becomes a restorative act transposed into artistic practice.
ADVOCACY FOR SLOWNESS
Over time, osteoarthritis, which has spread to her hands, neck and arms, has forced Karine to slow down and work differently. But she has made it a strength and even a way of life. Although she has to get up early to be able to take more breaks and vary her projects, the artist advocates slowness. “In our world, slowness is a form of rebellion. I live in a house surrounded by forest, to the rhythm of nature. It inspires me. I see the seasons unfold, and this cyclical movement nourishes me,” she says.
GIVING HOPE TO THOSE WHO NEED IT
Through visual arts, Karine has found a balance that has allowed her to flourish as an artist, but also as an individual. Fulfilled, she now wants to help those in need discover the healing power of art. She is involved with several organizations that help people with mental health issues, including Les Impatients. In addition to being the sponsor of her exhibition-auction this year, Karine led visual art activities there. “The goal of these sessions is to get participants out of isolation. I have experienced this distress myself, so I understand these people. Our discussions are wonderful.”
Her next exhibition, Sœurs, which will be held this fall at the Centre des arts et des loisirs Alain-Larue in Notre-Dame-des-Prairies, will explore the theme of suicide. Designed with her sister Valérie Demers, the installation, which combines sculptures, videos and writings, will highlight the difficult transition from childhood to adolescence and from adolescence to adulthood. For Karine, we must continue to talk about mental health issues because there is still a long way to go. “I was ashamed for a long time. I hid. Art brought me out of the closet. We need to talk about mental illness. It’s hard to take the first step, but starting a dialogue feels good. This exhibition deals with a difficult subject, but it provides a life-saving path.” » The artist concludes our interview by quoting Boris Cyrulnik: "by attaching ourselves to passions, my sister and I have succeeded in "enlisting in life"". Karine hopes to share this message with as many people as possible.
