Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Parham
Hi Alicia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In 2021 during a regular eye exam, I was diagnosed with the condition ” Pseudotumor Cerebri” or IIH ( idiopathic intracranial hypertension). IIH is a condition that mimics the symptoms of a brain tumor and is known for its 3 hallmarks, pulsating tinnitus, migraines, and “floaters”. These floaters were my first indicator that something was wrong and why I chose to make the appointment. I had already been working on my BFA in paintings, but between what would be my 4th and 5th surgery, I felt compelled to paint in a way I had not felt since the beginning of my health issues. I had been playing compositions made via a program called Touch Designer, making abstract compositions with the influence of music distorting the images.
As I tried to translate these compositions onto a canvas, I found myself frustrated with my eyesight. Coming up on my 5th surgery, I had lost the majority of the sight in my left eye. As I painted I would go to fix a black spot on the canvas, or a green smudge I hadn’t noticed, just to realize, they were floaters and I was the only one who saw them. After wasting a good amount of paint going back and forth to fix spots that didn’t exist, I began to incorporate what I experienced into my work. I believe art has an incredible possibility of documenting what we are experiencing, and this became a record of life during this time.
After a whirlwind year of 5 brain surgeries and a permanent implant in the left of my brain, I, fortunately, began to recover, however, what I was left with was permanent damage to my left eye. To this day I still experience floaters, at a much lesser frequency.
I can cite this experience as to why I began to have a fascination with neuroscience, and I have strived to continue to incorporate my experiences into my work. In November of 2023, I showed my body of work “Intravenous” ( a nod to intravenous brain implant) at the Paul Vortman Gallery in Denton TX that shared my floaters with the world in the form of large-scale abstract paintings.
Since then I have been awarded 2 grants, The University of North Texas project grant and the Dallas Museum of Art’s Arch and Ann Giles grant to continue my research on the interaction of neuroscience and fine art. Specifically, using an EEG machine to detect brain waves and turn them into live visuals with the help of my brother, Colton Parham’s knowledge in computer sciences.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Along the way, I faced some considerable challenges, including the surgeries I had, 4 of which were in a quick 3 month period, and the recovery period both physical and mental from these surgeries. Pseudotumor Cerebri is also considered a rare disease by the National Organisation for Rare Diseases (NORD) which meant significant hurdles in finding doctors knowledge about the condition. My work was an outlet during this time, getting a major diagnosis at 23 was shocking, and having a place to channel this energy was priceless.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in the intersection of neuroscience and art. My current research is on how I can create visual manifestations of EEG brain waves via the Muse neurofeedback headband and Touch designer. With my experience with profound neurological challenges, I am able to create a layered experience. Adding my own floaters as I come into contact with them, visual feedback back, and reactive materials such as Thermo-reactive pigments to create an interesting sensory experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.akeparham.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akeparham/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AKEparham
Image Credits
( Orange and cream horizontal piece)
Taurus
Oil on canvas
36in x 48in
Alicia Parham
2023
Documented by Hudson Ingram
Intravenous gallery
Documented by Hudson Ingram
(white and grey horizontal piece)
Venus
Oil on canvas
36in x 48in
Alicia Parham
2022
Documented by Hudson Ingram
(vertical piece with large swoosh)
A fragile few years and the tenderness required
Oil on canvas
48x60in
Alicia Parham
2024
(large horizontal pink piece)
Joy as an act of rebellion
Oil on canvas
96inx72in
Alicia Parham
2024
(2 piece on the wall)
Intimacy
Oil on panel
72in x 96in
Alicia Parham
2023
Divine Failure
Acrylic and oil on canvas
60in x 48in
Alicia Parham
2023
Documented by Hudson Ingram
(the vertical piece with cream, red, and green)
Morning
Acrylic and oil on acrylic panel
72in x 48in
Alicia Parham
2023
Documented by Hudson Ingram
(green symmetrical piece)
Emerald Eyes
Oil on panel
20x16in
Alicia Parham
2024
