Whats Art Got to do with it?
Even though it has become my whole life, sometimes I struggle to see what art has to do with anything, why it matters. I keep saying that creativity is the most powerful tool that we have. I keep saying it and then I lose sight of it. The world is a terrifying place right now. The horror that is being experienced in Palestine and Congo and Sudan and many other parts of the world has been testing humanity's limits, making us questions our leaders and ourselves and our communities and triggering inner wars and there doesn’t seem to be any end in sight. I have been trying to keep on top of things and stay active and yet, I feel like I could be more informed, work harder, post more, raise more money, dedicate more time to being better. And then the overwhelm kicks in and the things I have to say about art seem so futile.
To recover, because I’ve learned how, I paint or crochet or dance to some music or take some photographs or cook something or write something and somehow through these acts, I return to myself. Our trust and faith is being tested everyday by individuals and politicians and governments telling lies. Truth is difficult to seek from the outside, that's why it is so important to connect with ourselves and find it from within. And I know that sounds airy fairy and idealistic but creativity is a natural function and I have always known this. As a child I had less inhibitions about my artistic abilities and playing and exploring came easily. Somewhere along the way I forgot this, like so many adults do. I built blocks and obstacles and become a slave to logic and capitalism and societal expectations about what I should be doing with my time. I forget the importance of play and I still forget from time to time. But now, habitually I take myself there and in creation, I remember myself.
Collage on day 2 of my 365days of art project
In addition to this being silly and playing is just good for us. Making things may not solve wars but how can we do anything without a soul? If making art restores our souls, then the healing is working.
I’m learning about the concept of stepping back from an issue directly in my expressive arts therapy training and instead making way for a broader understandings through artistic expressions. I am learning the correct language and terms for so many things in my training that I have always felt in my bones. It feels very validating to study something I feel so connected with.
I used to call this escapism. I used to think that by ignoring the problem head on and making art instead I was somehow doing something wrong. I find myself leaning deep into my creativity when I am struggling, but now instead of berating myself for not being able to speed up my processor and solve issues straight away, I give myself space to work out things through the art, even if I don’t know what will emerge at the end. Showing myself this kindness and understanding has made all the difference.
Blind drawing excercise
Imagination is important. I’m remembering that too, the deeper I get into this work and I make it a part of my daily practice. Spending time with children has been inspiring, watching their imagination flourish is an ability I wish we could all hold onto. As we grow older, we are reprimanded for day dreaming and being too liberal with her imagination but we need these things. We need to stop restricting ourselves.
In the Book “Rest is Resiliance, Tricia Hersey quotes Bell Hooks ``Imagination is one of the most powerful modes of resistance that oppressed and exploited folks can do and use.” I love this concept. She speaks of how emancipation was only possible because slaves dared dream of one day being free. They imagined a free world and eventually the dream became a reality. I am oversimplifying of course but the point being that change is not possible without creativity, without allowing ourselves the freedom to dream and imagine and build something new. I could go on and on about this and I will, in due time.
Face painting with my friend Najet on Saturday night just for fun
I would go as far as saying that artists have a responsibility to create. That looks different to everybody and for me it is an ongoing exploration of figuring out ways to heal myself and heal others through art.
I’m not saying that we need to live our lives with our heads in the clouds and forget about all other responsibilities. But activism needs creativity, making art is not giving up. I see it in the music makers whose music soothes, writers who creatively weave stories of hope or use words for documentation and communication, I see it in the visual artists who make work that asks questions, in performance and characters brought to life by actors who understand the importance of exploring different perspectives. I see it in every which way art touches people and acts as a universal language that transcends boundaries.
Making art is power, it is strength, it is collective healing. Whatever form it takes, art enriches our lives and I urge you to believe that your art matters. I’m writing this for anyone who thinks sharing their work is pointless and I’m also writing for myself because I know how easy it is to let societal pressures dictate what is important and get crushed into believing that art making is pointless. But I’ve found that it might just be the very thing that is keeping us alive. In the fight for freedom and liberation art actually has everything to do with it.
Day 8 of 365 day art challenge. Free Palestine on my mind.
