Meet Kat Lukin | Writer, Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kat Lukin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kat, why did you pursue a creative career?
At this point in my life I don’t feel like there is any other option. Fresh out of high school I thought I was going to be a forensic scientist but after a long conversation with a career counselor in my second year, I went on to finish my first undergrad in English Literature. My love for chemistry and biology persist in passing, I think that the sciences require people to reimagine reality in creative ways, but it just wasn’t entirely for me. I knew I needed to create, I wanted to write, I had stories to tell and I had this restless yearning to return to filmmaking. So that’s what I did. I decided that it was okay to redirect myself from Forensics and focus on what feeds my soul-because at the end of the day no one is going to do that for me.

I find that if I let inspiration build up inside me, the effects are similar to bottling up any other emotion like anger. I am distracted, irritated, and overall far more anxious than I am usually…

All this to say; there is creativity in every industry. Whether that’s moving numbers around in finance or dressing the recently deceased, society needs creative minds behind every position imaginable.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Most recently I have been organizing events such as poetry readings, short film festivals, and a variety of workshops in my home city Toronto, Ontario with an network I founded about a year ago, we call ourselves The Clown House Arts Collective.

The initial idea came out of my own writers block or creative stump. I was stuck and I didn’t know what to do but I knew I wanted to surround myself with other creatives to get the juices flowing. In addition, I wanted to create a space where anyone regardless of class/status/location would be welcome to engage with the arts.

Throughout the year, my co-founder, Isabelle Bury, and I have been through numerous challenges and successes. Together we created three collaborative chapbooks including pieces from local poets as well as a strong and supportive community that demands our events continue.

We’ve learned to keep expectations reasonable and do what we can given the resources that we have. For example, about a year ago I wanted to put on a battle of the bands for the summer of 2024. With zero concert production experience under our belt and a fully booked summer, it made no sense to make this event happen now. We agreed to build up to a place where we feel comfortable and competent enough to put on an amazing show.

Regardless of what comes our way I am confident that we will achieve our goals, including the much wanted Battle of the Bands and a collaboration with Justin Bieber (I don’t know why but I NEED to meet him, it’s inexplainable I just NEED to).

On a closing note, I wanted to mention that sexism and misogyny has been the number one challenge I face in work environments. The film industry is not just a ‘bad apple,’ this problem goes across various industries. Creeps exist everywhere, duh, but I didn’t expect there to be so many in the workplace. There has been numerous instances where I felt my employment was at risk due to predatory behaviours and inappropriate comments made about my gender and presentation. I find that because I am young, older men (and women) feel comfortable saying the most out of pocket things. So girls…please carry yourselves with confidence, regardless of your age make it known that you are a high value person that does not tolerate any form of intimidation/oppression.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Shout out to the 6ix! Let’s think of some places that blogTO hasn’t covered yet, hmm…Bampot Teahouse is a must. Tuesday nights they’ve got open mic poetry and if your lucky you’ll run into my favorite host Lola!

Next on the list is Film Cafe in Kensington where The Clown House Arts Collective hosts weekly movie nights also on Tuesday’s at 7PM!

After a belly full of tea, dinner and a movie (the pork carnitas are my favorite), head over to The Beguiling where you can grab some of the cities most unique reads and doze off to sleep with the latest Clown House chapbook in hand.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Thank you so much to Laleh Behzadian for her friendship, support, and outstanding enthusiasm for the arts!

I would love to thank my co-founder and dear friend Isabelle Bury for tirelessly enduring my bouts of self-doubt and hyperactivity. Isabelle, goes above and beyond as a companion and multi-disciplinary artist. She creates magnificent comics and poems which motivate me to keep creating as well.

I am thankful for my parents who are visual artists in their own right. My mother recognized my love for film early on and continues to encourage my pursuits regardless of what challenges come my way. That part really trumps any family drama we’ve got going on-my mom believes in me…and for that I am eternally grateful.

Website: https://www.clownhouseartscollective.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katonak_/

Other: https://www.instagram.com/clownhouseartscollective/

https://www.instagram.com/clownhouseartscollective?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Image Credits
underland (Alice in Wonderland shoot) credits go to Syd Deneau (they/them) ft. Mimi Simon

Clown photos by Teddy Jaskeerat Singh (he/him) ft. Isabelle Bury & Matthew Bury

Phantashomoria post shoot selfie by Kat Lukin ft. Trish Sprawson and Mehek Cazi (she/her, she/her)