A reminder: we are all artists
Someone recently asked if I was an artist. My response was less than assured, leaving me feeling vulnerable about my creativity. Due to a stalled artistic practice, I often disregard the "artist" side of myself, despite frequently stating that "we are all artists." I pushed artmaking to the side while focusing on grad school and then starting the multi-step, multi-year process of founding an arts organization. This pause triggers my imposter syndrome. Especially when sharing space with "real artists" - a group of incredibly talented and dedicated individuals. Yet, they also inspire me and leave me considering the outcome if I were to dedicate myself to a regular practice. Something I have not given myself permission to explore for quite some time.
I recently watched the TED Talk, "The Case for Making Art When the World Is on Fire," by Aime McNee, who discusses the need for artmaking. Now more than ever. In a world that is both literally and figuratively on fire, art serves as a soothing balm, offering insight and solace. McNee reminds us that "making art isn't self-indulgent – it's an essential, radical act of creation." In a time when arts and humanities funding has been cut. When performing art centers are being taken over by authoritarian megalomaniacs, and people are being censored of their freedom of speech, art is necessary.
This past year, while staying in one place for a semester-long period, I rediscovered my desire to feel grounded. To be planted in one place in order to…just be. To discover. To look inward. Maybe it's now time to add artmaking to the list. My voice is a small part of the larger cacophony of makers, but I can feel it awakening. Additionally, in the age of AI, which increasingly encroaches upon every aspect of our daily lives, I believe that writers, artists, musicians, and creatives are crucial to the future of our world.
from the series Mirror Mirror
“AI can’t grieve or dream or doubt itself. That’s what makes our work human – and worth making. ”
I feel like I'm on a journey to meet an old friend, excited by the prospect of diving in and exhausting an idea to see how it plays out. And the next time someone asks if I'm an artist, I may just answer a bit more confidently. And you should too!
-trw