ManicWorld Magazine

– Which part is more prevalent, the photographer or the poet?

I would say both the photographer and poet can’t live without the other. For me, photography serves as a map, and poetry is the key to unlocking what’s hidden. I know a few people who’ve attempted to pressure me into picking a niche when it comes to photography, but I can’t. For me, my photography is multifaceted and my poems allow me to bring home that point. Without poetry my photos aren’t complete. Both mediums are interconnected giving further insight into the world of KURAI. Also, I’m naturally a very introspective person. I tell people this all the time, I just don’t take photos, I create different worlds, each with their own unique lore. Art is about expressing feelings which heals the soul, and what helps me is photography and poetry.

– How has mixing these two outlets helped in expressing yourself?

Before this year, I was only focused on pushing my photography. For a while I had put my poems on the back burner. My priority was to work with clients so I could build my photography career. However, meeting people has proven to be a challenge. I noticed a lot of people either don’t take me seriously simply because I don’t have a huge following or the fact that I never boxed myself into a niche. Dealing with folks constantly criticising my work made me doubt myself as a creative person. I posed the question: am I actually a bad photographer? (Nope, I’m not). I got tired of chasing trying to please people, so I fully committed to my vision, because I know one day I’ll find the right group of like-minded individuals to work with. Until then, I have to keep fighting and pushing my artistic beliefs. Reason why since the start of the year I vowed to promote my poems alongside my photographs. Studying the work of an Artist such as Jean Michel-Basquiat, inspired some sort of an artistic reawakening within me. What I appreciate about Jean-Michel Basquiat is the fact that his written work is just as important as his drawings and paintings. That’s when I realised that my photography can’t breathe without my poems. By combining both art forms I’ve been able to understand the true depth of my soul. The visual arts help me express my outer thoughts regarding this world and my poems allow me to reveal my inner thoughts regarding life.

-What challenges your creativity?

Loneliness and solitude. Those two words represent different experiences which constantly challenges my mind. I love to create, but the more I do, the more I realise I’ve always been alone and misunderstood. But at the same time, every piece of art I’ve created thus far has come from experiencing solitude. No outsider has ever had any sort of influence on my process of creation.

– How have your experiences shaped you as a creative?

I’m originally from Boston Massachusetts, but at the age of nine due to uncontrollable circumstances I had to leave and move to Montreal Quebec Canada. I never got the chance to say bye to any of my classmates or teachers. For them, I was probably just a mirage who permanently disappeared without a trace. That small summary of my background encapsulates who I am as a creative. I’m spontaneous and elusive, never attached to anything. I just go with the flow because from a young age I learnt that in life you need to know how to deal with any situations that may come your way. You can’t be one-dimensional.

– Why are you different? Not justifying yourself as an artist, just sharing why you do the things you do in such ways?

The answer is quite simple, I’m Darlens, I’m KURAI. The only way I can do things is my way. I can’t copy someone else’s confidence, I can’t mimic another photographer’s style, and I definitely can’t live trying to appease to peoples fluctuating standards. The one quality that I’ve always had in my locker was knowing that despite being alone, I have this quiet confidence of being my authentic self.