written by: Justin Williams
Today I woke up, brushed my teeth and offered myself the opportunity to get out of a redundant cycle of suggestive behavior. I draft up sketch after sketch. fling through my sketchbook, page after page. Day by day my dreams seem the just be one step further and obtainable. The American dream seems to be a joke.
Through out time, Ive become accustomed to this cycle of a mindset- I am just self aware enough to know that perception is just the way things appear. Im simply unmotivated by stifling times. In the early 1900's Id be writing away, describing Jim crow, the great depression, and a world at war.
It's 2020. And the oppressive economy of American affairs has only changed its outfit. So I will wear all black and leave some canvas exposed for some consistency.
The disappointing verdict of the Breonna Taylor case doesn't really fuel my creative flame. Langston Hughes is probably turning over in his grave right now. Who or what will be the catalyst that will make America boil, bubble, and turn over?
Trump just got COVID-19 and decided not to disperse another round of stimulus checks.
Tory Lanez shot a black woman, Meg the Stallion then gas lit her with an album. There has been no large discussion about the effects of narcissistic behavior has on women. The bearers of life.
Needless to say, focusing on the positive right now is a pretty productive way of harnessing all the negativity silencing million of voices across the country. Molding it to suit our individual needs. And reflecting on how we see the world, not as an inertia of momentum. But the direction in which we seek to go
Today. I woke up, and was inspired by black creatives pursuing their dreams amongst these stifling times. These are quotes and take aways from seven creatives that intersected my resistance to create.
Meaning of takeaway in English: a main message or piece of information that you learn from something you hear or read:
1.
Amoako Boafo is a painter & artist barn in aura/ Ghana based in Vienna/ Austria.
Interested in exploring the relationship between the personal & the structural by centering black subjectivity & core.
“ the primary idea of my practice is representation, documentation, celebrating, & showing new ways to approach blackness."
He challenges how black males are brought up to be aggressive and masculine.
He was awarded the Jury prize Walter Kunstpeis.
Take away: Common knowledge says that winners write history. As African American we win in every cumbersome situation this country puts is in. As African American men, we even managed to further the process of resocialization, separating from stereotypes cast among us during the times of uncle toms cabin. Education is liberation.
2.
Ebony L Haynes as an art dealer recently recruited. She quotes “ There aren't enough places of access -especially in commercial galleries- for black staff & for people of color to gain experience." However the her straight forwardness following resonated.
“I want to make sure that I provide a space full of opportunities and encourage them.”
Take away: A new-more diversified sovereign art market must be erected. In order to do so, we must educate the youth on small business building and financial literacy. However, it starts with us. Yes. Us.
3.
Shantell Martin is a visual artist best known for her larger scale, black & white drawings for a live audience. Born in Thamesmead London, Martin lives and works in New York.
"Artist! Don’t play the IF game! If I had a studio, if I had money, If I had a mentor, If I had a gallery…what do you have?! What can you reach now? Use that, start there.”
Take away: Even after we have the material things that we believe will take us to the "next level". Eventually becomes less powerful and able to take our careers to new heights. Freedom is a mindset that leads to behavior, a change in actions which result in positive outcomes.
4.
Amani Olu Dubbed “ the king of mutli-tasking” He is a social entrepreneur with a background in exhibition making & art writing.
"I use Calendly, Monday, Quickbooks, Bill.com, Slack, Gmail, Google Calendar, and pretty much any app that will aid in productivity."
Take away: Theres an app for just about everything. Stay organized because proper time is essential for creative gain. When in doubt just say you're an accountant because the many role we must fill as creatives would melt someones brain, if they were to ask what is it exactly that we do.
5.
Patrick Quarm Lives and works in Takaradi Ghana. He graduated from Keuame Nkrumada University of science and technology, in 2012.
"Not too long ago in the art world, it was common to hear phrases like “figure painting is dead” or that it is an “old” notion. There seems to be a re-emergence of figurative painting, which is a good thing. History always repeats itself, and in every case, there is always a form of reinvention that piques my interest."
Take away: The work doing at the moment may not be trend in the art world. The time will come where it's time to shine will bear the brightest light and produce the sweetest fruit.
6.
Nina Chanel Abney is an American artist based in New York. She was born in Harvey Illinois. She explores race, gender, homophobia & politics in her work.
“I would see how certain people would react to paintings that were clearly about race, and how they would shy away from that because they’re not black,” she says, with an open admission that she’s pulling a bait-and-switch. Their ambiguity gives the viewer options. The beauty is that anyone can read them however they like.”
Take away: Many non blacks do not see themselves as non black. But they see us as “ black” However, thats not the universal truth of our self image because representation is subjective experience at the end of the day. I mean, we do see the world from the inside-out. Not the other way around.
7.
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