‘In Focus’ – An Interview with Simran Lazrado
Simran Lazrado (she/her) is an amateur photographer and creative with a background in psychology from McMaster University in Canada.
Simran Lazrado | Photographer & Creative
“Seek out community. There is great value in seeking out like-minded people navigating similar spaces as you. Community, especially as an artist, can help you grow and move through your journey with support.”
Tell us about yourself and your work.
My journey into the arts began quite early at the age of two, with my parents finding their walls coloured with markers. Later on, to my parents' relief, I discovered canvases and spent most of my childhood and teens drawing, painting, or creating in some form.
Once I began University, I sadly lost a lot of my passion for the arts when my priorities shifted to more ‘serious’ academic matters. What sparked my passion again was my parents stumbling upon an old film camera. The camera came to capture my most memorable moments at university, helping me find my way back to my creative practice.
I graduated from University a year ago and I have since begun to delve back into photography. As a psychology major, I did not venture out into the creative world as much. Most of my current work experience has been within the mental health field. While I am incredibly passionate about advocacy and mental health, I feel rejuvenated with a new sense of purpose and my calling to connect more deeply with my creative roots.
What are some of the challenges or barriers you have faced, and continue to face in your industry as a racialized Woman of Colour?
I grew up in Markham, Ontario in Canada. Things were quite different back then. I had very limited representation as a young Indian girl. I grew up feeling a lot of shame about my culture and always felt a need to hide from who I was.
The Indian community is often stereotyped into certain careers and growing up I struggled with certain subjects in school that people assumed would come to me with ease. The world of art was what brought me the most joy and freed me from these assumptions and the boundaries that had been placed on girls like me.
“The world of art was what brought me the most joy and freed me from these assumptions and the boundaries that had been placed on girls like me.”
What are some tools, resources, strategies, and approaches you use to cope with these challenges?
Though I am early in my career and at the stage of figuring things out, there are some lessons I have learned from my journey so far. My biggest advice is to spend time with yourself, especially in moments of doubt. Learn to value who you are. The world may try to make you feel small, but self-love and knowing your worth mean you won’t need to prove yourself because you are already enough. As women, we're often pushed to justify our worth. Resist that. Embrace the parts of yourself you were taught to hide. You and your art deserve to exist, unapologetically.
The greatest clarity I have gained on my journey this far has been the power of saying no. We often believe that we have to grab every opportunity that comes our way out of the fear of missing out. Sure, it is true that in the early stages of a career, experience can be the greatest teacher. However, there is also great power in choosing opportunities that feel right to you.
Finally, I would highly recommend journaling. It has carried me through my lowest and highest points in life. When you get through the hard parts of life, journaling allows you the opportunity to look back and witness your resilience. Journaling also gives you access to the patterns that exist, and helps you find your own voice when the world feels noisy.
Above all, my biggest source of comfort is my family. I wouldn’t be where I am without them by my side.
What advice would you give to younger Women of Colour in your industry?
Seek out community. There is great value in seeking out like-minded people navigating similar spaces as you. Community, especially as an artist, can help you grow and move through your journey with support. I think our society places a lot of emphasis on the individual, and to some extent it can be beneficial but we are also losing this aspect of community that many artists and even non-artists crave. It can be scary, but I would urge you to put yourself out there and expand your network, even if you might doubt whether you belong in certain spaces. I’ll let you in on a secret: you belong. We build so many walls and harbour these doubts that prevent us from harnessing our true potential. I firmly believe that you don’t need to give those beliefs power. You are welcome to come as you are and if you are open to it, your community will expand before you know it.
“The greatest clarity I have gained on my journey this far has been the power of saying no.”
How do you see the future of workplaces for Women of Colour?
Art and creative practices are incredibly important to our communities. The future I envision is one where we have more women from backgrounds like mine, taking up space in the art world, sharing our perspectives, stories, and creativity.
The future I manifest is one where we don’t have to figure everything out. One where we can grow and change without fear, and one where we can even afford to be uncertain. Women of colour have so much pressure placed on them to be ‘perfect,’ often leaving no room for play or fun. I want a future where we can dabble, where we can embrace our whole selves and surround one another with creativity and joy.
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