From the campaign, “Our Ottawa Needs Public Toilets”, GottaGo! & Art House present an interview series with the artists that won the 2021 art call-out asking for work that challenged negative perceptions about public toilets. Namitha Rathinappillai’s poem “Empotty” was selected as one of the winners. Please visit OttawaPublicToilets.com to see images of this poem.
Namitha Rathinapillai is a Tamil-Canadian spoken word poet, artist and writer. She has facilitated and performed in spaced such as Urban Legends, Tell Em’ Girl, and Youth Ottawa. In 2018, a collection of her poetry was published in a book titled “Dirty Laundry”. Namitha was the Director of Urban Legends. An organization that supports artists of all genders, races and ages by providing a safe space for them to write, share and gain exposure to their poetry.
GottaGo! Campaign advocates for a network of and signage to safe, clean and accessible public toilets in Ottawa. Check us out on twitter @GottaGoCampaign or visit OttawaPublicToilets.ca
Art House brings the Ottawa arts scene together in a space where you can eat, drink, create, and learn. Since 2017, Art House has supported local artists through hosting community events and workshops, and exhibiting and promoting their work. Check us out on Instagram @arthousecafe613 or visit 555 Somerset St. West, Ottawa, ON or TheArtHouseCafe.ca
Interviewer: Stephanie Taylor
Song: “When You Gotta Go, You Gotta Go” by Karen Oxorn
