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Hello and welcome to my page, I am a Ceramic Artist
Julia (she/hers) was born to immigrant parents on the stolen and traditional lands of Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations (North Vancouver).
Her first experience with clay was in her teens, while living on unceded lands of Semiahmoo First Nation, Katzie and Kwantlen First Nation (Surrey). Later in life, Julia rediscovered her passion for pottery, and she has been happily honing her skills ever since as both a student and instructor.
The patience, dedication, and trust that art required was a transformative healing experience for Julia. She is a strong advocate for the therapeutic benefits of expression through art and finds joy in seeing others express themselves and grow in their artistic skills, no matter their age or experience.
Julia’s art practice is deeply influenced by her Punjabi heritage and upbringing, and believes our identities are reflected in the work we create. Her lineage from a long line of Punjabi farmers imbued her with a love for gardening, community, and food. Julia is interested in the intersections of creative expression, nature, and healing.
She has completed numerous exhibitions, two residencies, and currently enjoys creating in her own studio space. As a part of respecting the land we live on, Julia prioritizes sustainability where she can by recycling clay, creating her own glazes, and being creative with tools.
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Contact Details
Nygra, Julia
Coquitlam, BC, Canada
Samples of my work
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Artist Statement
For this year's Healing Garden Exhibition, I chose to work with my friends. The power of community and collectivity is crucial, especially during these challenging and isolating times.
As a group, we grew our friendships by sharing our thoughts, challenges, and inspirations while working toward a collective vision. I believe we are all life-long learners, and I’m humbled by the wealth of wisdom and knowledge in my community. The process of working with my friends in my art community has truly been comforting, inspiring, and satisfying. It was just what I needed this difficult year.
Through the pandemic and all the traumas of the past year, art was a much-needed respite. Working consistently on this exhibition and my pottery kept me optimistic about the future.
I found hope by connecting with nature. While walking through a forest trail, I noticed a bed of ferns and was stunned by their colouration and sheer variety. They grew tightly together, supporting one another and securing the soil with their roots.
This image captured the resilient power of both plants and people, and I was inspired to make ferns my focus for this year's Healing Garden Exhibition.
Ferns have survived since the early Cretaceous Period, with the first fern fossil dating back approximately 360 million years. Today, there are over 10,000 varieties of ferns known all over the world and many more are being discovered.
In admiration of how they adapt and survive, I have placed ferns mainly on pedestal pots. May they be a reminder of resiliency, support, strength, and hope that can exist through the challenges and changes facing people today.
Respect to the fabulous fern.