Written by Alexis Schramel | Pictures by Eric Butler Last week I had the pleasure of interviewing Lokho Kotile '23 on her first solo exhibition! Her exhibition, Warri Keessan Ess? / Where is Your Home?, was on view at Soomaal House of Art until March 19, 2022. This exhibition featured photos, film, installation, and poetry inspired by what home means as a second-generation immigrant. Below is a shortened transcription of our interview. AS: Thank you so much for meeting with me! I was wondering if you could give an introduction to yourself and your exhibition Where is Your Home? LK: I am a 23-year-old visual artist in St Paul. I have primarily used photography for 4-5 years and since starting at MCAD I have started doing film and installation. Last year I started my project Where Is Your Home, which explores what home means being a second-generation immigrant. A lot of my work has to do with domestic spaces so I like to include photos, video, installation, and elements of poetry. I like incorporating my personal narrative in my work as a way of expressing my emotions, who I am, and my family background, which has helped me learn about who I am as an artist. AS: Your exhibition is such a sweet and tender show, while at your opening I felt a presence of warmth between you and the gallery. Would you share your relationship to Soomaal House of Art? LK: While working with my mentor, Ben Moren, we were coming up with ideas about where a nice space for me to show my work would be. I immediately thought of Soomaal House of Art. Soomaal House is a really nice organization that was founded a few years ago with East African artists like myself and they invite artists from all over the world. I had the opportunity to meet one of their co-founders a couple of years ago and I started learning more about them. The people at Soomaal House are my audience, they are also from second-generation immigrants and from similar backgrounds. They have been so helpful and supportive, it was such a welcoming experience. This was the perfect stepping stone for me as an artist. AS: Some of our readers might be interested in advice for starting relationships with galleries and having their own solo-show. What advice would you give? LK: First, make sure you have your idea down. Ask yourself: What is your project about? What are the themes? What is it going to visually look like? When you have all the blueprints down and the foundation it becomes easier to work alongside galleries with the ideas that you have. Plan accordingly by figuring out the exhibition date and working backward. Try to get it done a month early so that way you can sit with the work, appreciate it, and give yourself a break. Make connections early. This way you can build a network and foundation for your practice. I think planning your first show is your introduction to the world. I think it is really important to make it as intentional and genuine as possible. It is the fabric of who you are as an artist and it has been a wonderful journey for me. AS: Is there anyone you would like to give a shout out to? LK: Yes! In no particular order, thank you so much to Khadijah Muse, Kaamil Haider, Mohamud Mumin, Khadija Charif, Wasima Farah, and my mentor Ben Moren. One final note, Lokho will be selling all of her prints from the show on her website, so be sure to check it out! Categories Events Student Profile