An Inspired Chat with Lara Kamhi of Istanbul

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Lara Kamhi. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Lara, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, I’ve realized how much the time I devote to artisanal activities enriches my art. In my spare time, making jewelry and embroidering beads onto clothes have become practices I deeply enjoy—meditative, tactile, and quietly restorative.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Until recently, I was a contemporary artist focused on media art, as well as an experimental film and music video director. I also curated expanded cinema exhibitions, wrote about art and film for various magazines, and taught visual aesthetics at the university level. Now, I’ve transitioned into working full-time as a filmmaker and am currently in the midst of pre-production for my first feature film.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I can think of a few people who have helped me connect with a more authentic part of myself—too many to name, really—but the first who comes to mind is Edward Allington, the late artist who was also my tutor during my MFA at UCL. He once gave a review of my work that felt almost magical, describing it as existing “at the edge of perception.” That insight has stayed with me ever since.

What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
For years, I believed I had to create constantly—never pausing, never resting. That mindset defined at least the first decade of my practice. In the process, I sacrificed my well-being and eventually developed a health condition that forced me to slow down for years. Over time, I came to understand that rest is just as essential as work.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I have a purist side to myself—one that I both appreciate and constantly try to balance. Questions of ethical truth occupy much of my thinking, and as a result, I strive to act with as much honesty as possible, especially in public.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
As an artist, my practice is rooted in the process itself—creating is what makes me feel truly alive. While appreciation is always encouraging, it’s fair to say that most of my work is made not because of others, but in spite of them. Each project carries its own distinct soul, which may not resonate with everyone. In that sense, praise is always a welcome bonus.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.larakamhi.com
• Instagram: @larakami
• Youtube: @larakamhi
• Other: https://vimeo.com/larakamhi