A R T I S T S P O T L I G H T
A I S H A P A L M I T E S S A
shot + edited by becker
Aisha Palmitessa has amassed a body of work that is seductive and poignant and yet silmultaneously illusive. Her photography is crafted with a vulnerable sensibility, offering up private moments in time that convey a blend of melancholic emotions. The cryptic presentation of figures, shattered glass, and thematic fall of sunlight through windows all concurrently leave the viewer with more questions than answers.
She writes in a similar fashion, offering a glimpse into the fragmented script of her own mind via pages that are presented as they would appear in her own journal: raw and real, but lacking in explicit direction.
It is a beautiful way to work and, quite honestly, is a breath of fresh air given the flagrant over-sharing of personal information that often takes place across various platforms of social media. Palmitessa sets her work apart with artful intention and sophistication as she concocts an episodic mystery that leaves the viewer hungry for more.
Below, I talked to Aisha about her writing and photography, and how these different outlets for expression provide her with a sense of freedom.
PASTEL: Introduce yourself!
AP: Well, hello! My name is Aisha Palmitessa, and I am currently working on my BFA in photography at Lamar Dodd; just one semester left! I am a proud mother of the squishiest, sweetest, bundle-of-love cat, Phoenix, and my momma and sister are my world. My heart swoons with a good red sauce (for pasta) and large sweaters.
PASTEL: How would you describe your work to a new audience?
AP: Through all my years of creating, I have maintained the theme of expression. I consistently make work that means something to me; it is driven by different feelings/emotions/events. My most recent work focuses on quiet, clean scenes that translate a greater emotion or hidden feeling.
PASTEL: Can you explain your process in coming to an idea for a shoot? Do you have preconceived shots in mind, or do you prefer to shoot intuitively?
AP: I’ve definitely done both, but I tend to end up with better results when I shoot intuitively. When I plan, I tend to come up with these developed scenes, and I become too invested, so I don’t budge. I’ve learned that I can shoot intuitively (while still retaining an aesthetic/theme in mind) and produce more clean and focused photographs. I will continue to work on the planning, because I do love that aspect, but I need to be able to waver from the plan as well.
PASTEL: What themes do you like to explore within your work?
AP: I’m always exploring "the figure" in my photography, or more appropriately, the "absence of a figure". I’m interested in a hand coming out from under the covers, the light falling on a friend’s face, or the footsteps left behind by a person. My photos show fragmented figures or the presence of an individual, even if one is not shown. With this, I am exploring the internal feelings of us all; mostly what we aren’t comfortable expressing.
PASTEL: What came first—writing or photography? What sparked your interest, and do you think that either practice informs the way that you handle the other?
AP: I would say probably photography; at least in regards to the way that I write now. I mean . . I wrote silly stories as a kid, but that was just young stuff, and I’ve been photographing for a long time now. I think with photography, it was just something that I always did for fun and then it became a
way to create and express what I saw in my mind. The writing has arisen over the last two years or so.With writing, I realized at some point that I could put words to events or emotions that my friends or myself had been through. So far, they have been pretty separate practices for me. I tend to shoot when I’m feeling happy and motivated, while I write when I’m feeling down and glad to be alone.
PASTEL: Do you have any other talents hidden up your sleeve? What about hobbies?
AP: I can do the wave with my eyebrows, and I am an excellent pancake flipper. Trying to think…I think the "hobbies" question is easier to tackle. Unfortunately, I don’t play any instruments or sing (in front of other people), but I love music and it will always be a constant for me. Reading is also a big love for me, and I almost always have a book on me. Other hobbies are snuggling with my cat and friends, cooking with momma and my sister, and searching for gems at the thrift store.
PASTEL: What, or who, are some of your greatest influences at the moment?
AP: I think for this question I will only talk about the who (photographers) because this list could go on and on. My most recent inspirations are Li Hui, Ahndraya Parlato, Marcela Paniak, Ryan McGinley, Astrid Kruse Jensen, and Andrea Resner.
PASTEL: You're photography often seems to depict intimate scenes that bear complex emotions; people occasionally appear in these environments. Are the people in your photographs close friends or family? If so, do you think that your relationship with the subject affects the final photograph?
AP: They almost always are. I prefer them to be [friends or family], because we’re both comfortable, and I think that kind of intimacy affects how my piece appears. I want them to trust me, and I’m trusting them to be who I know they are.
PASTEL: Literature seems to be an important part of your life and your art. Any recommendations for a good read?
AP: I’ve read so many books, and I shamefully don’t remember many of them now. A few that I remember from the past few years that I’ve really enjoyed would be American Gods, Shantaram, In the Woods (and its follow-up, The Likeness), The Interestings, The Secret History, and a classic, Heart of Darkness.
PASTEL: What kind of atmosphere promotes the best writing environment for you?
AP: I haven’t experimented much yet but usually I’m just sitting in bed, listening to music by my lonesome.
PASTEL: Do you find that it's easier to express yourself through writing versus photography? Or vice versa?
AP: That’s kind of a tough question. I want to say writing because it’s easier for me to jot down the deeper or darker things that I can’t easily show in a photograph. Photography has—and always will—maintain an outlet for my expression as well, but maybe in a slightly more subdued way.
PASTEL: You've recently begun to intermingle pieces of your writing with your photography. How has that process been? Has it changed the way that you work at all?
AP: It’s been pretty exciting! Writing started as something really private and something I wasn’t comfortable showing for a little while. As I became more confident in my writing, I experimented with the connection, and it wasn’t a bad thing. I think the writing has helped me to “let go” in a sense with my photography. When I write, I don’t overanalyze my thoughts and that may be what my photography needed.
PASTEL: What is your favorite part about being an artist?
AP: Along with the obvious, I’m doing what I love. It has and will always continue to be an outlet and a way for me to work through things.
PASTEL: What is next for you and your art?
AP: Who knows, honestly?! I will continue with my current series—intermingling my writing because I’m not ready to move on from it. I’ll also be brainstorming during this necessary break on a new series. Next semester will be my last at UGA and I’m not sure where I’ll go from there. The goal is a big city. I’m originally from Pennsylvania, so maybe I'll head North and hopefully go back to school for my masters. We will see!
PASTEL: What do you want people to take away from your art?
AP: At the risk of sounding lame, I just want people to feel something when they look at my photos or read my poems—some emotion or sensibility. There’s a sort of somber significance I’m trying to convey; I’m intrigued by the idea of these private moments being made public.
