I shared these recently on my ig here, and wanted to go a little more in-depth into some of them. This is also my first attempt at making actual blog posts where i am more intentional about making blogging content and push portfolio-like posts into actual portfolio content (you can see it in action here, thanks to folks who designed this cool theme!)
An important FYI i shared on that ig post:
i’m sharing these because i think these intersections need to be expressed more, and for folks who may feel affirmed by them in any way. some of these are not directly about art, but in my experience impact my ability to show up as an artist so, so much.
all that being said, here it goes:
connection beyond social media is essential – it feels like the most accessible sense of community in these moments, in my experience, comes from social media. it is what is convenient and within closest reach. we need spaces built on more than sharing our work, likes, comments, and transactional exchanges. we need spaces built on non-transactional support, accessible learning, sustainable non-hierarchical structures and so much more.
as artists, we can play a valuable part in creating and re-imagining worlds beyond exploitation. art plays and has played a part in cultural shifts, and collective consciousness (unfortunately for not-so-great causes as well, so helpful to think of it as more of a tool). Outside of the western-centered ‘art world’, artists have played important roles in pushing for revolutionary transformation through work that is rooted in struggle and is accessible to the people
Every time I chose to show up for my art counts, no matter how brief. this is true for anybody pursuing art, with intentions to improve, or just for the sake of joy. but for marginalized people, it can be deeply impactful, transformative, even with the huge potential to subvert when done strategically. every time i show up for myself, for a practice that does not impact my value as a profit-maker in a racial capitalist society, for a practice that makes me feel more present and like i’m capable of creating my own life, is super powerful. no matter how small, brief, or with what materials
collaboration & being in community are essential to the artistic process. collaboration and being in community are essential to being a human being period. so definitely as an artist too. i have felt much more empowered, inspired, and motivated to keep doing what i’m doing when i am making art in the same physical space as other artists, when going to events showcasing and supporting each other’s work, when hoping on online classes and learning with other folks. while i have not had the chance to collaborate much, i’ve learned so much in the few opps i’ve had, not just as an artist but as a person. the art world encourages competition and individual success, yet we are capable of accomplishing so much more through collaboration
there were a few more i had, but going to leave it at this or i’ll just keep putting off this post for forever. i have plans to make a zine from all these (+ the ones on ig post), which i’ll share on here when complete!
hasta la próxima!