Beyond Beauty: Art, Resistance, and the Imagination

Beyond Beauty: Art, Resistance, and the Imagination

‘Boredom can create a sense of creative helplessness in me where I have so many ideas, but none of them are enticing enough to draw me in to start. ‘

– What are colours to you?

Colors are life to me. I have always lived and breathed in colour, and I tell people that my brain uses colours to organise, categorise, and distinguish between different things. Funny enough, I used to be Emo, but I never could get behind wearing all black all the time. There’s just something that scratches my brain in the right way when I look at bright complimentary colours. Even bright contrasting colours. Also, I have no one favourite colour. It’s too hard to choose.

– When you are feeling creative, how do you decide which tools to use to execute the vision?

I’m lowkey always feeling creative. When I have time to actually create, I usually look for inspiration from the world around me, from my camera roll, or from some inner emotions that I want to get out. It honestly depends on what kind of vibe I’m going for with the art. Realism is usually sparked by photos, abstract paintings are sparked by feelings. I usually carry a little watercolour set around with me and some paper, so I always have some tools available to create.

– Would you say you have an eye for photography as well?

Yes! I have always loved photography. My brain sees scenes in picture-like squares; I used to be the kid who would post artsy pictures on Instagram with the filters and a broken phone camera. Then I took a college class and bought a digital, battery-operated camera. I think photography and art go hand-in-hand for me, since my recent passion has been ignited by Chicago residential architecture.

– Have you always had a deep connection with art?

Yes! Since I was a child. I used to build 3D worlds for these little plastic dogs that I had and ever since then, my imagination has run wild. Yes, I have faced artistic disconnection but connecting with myself and my inner child as an artist has been so incredibly healing for me over the last few years. It really started again in 2020 during the pandemic, when I was forced to look at my time outside of work and what I was doing.

– Do you believe that boredom is the origin of a good idea?

Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn’t. Boredom can create a sense of creative helplessness in me where I have so many ideas, but none of them are enticing enough to draw me in to start. I guess as someone with ADHD, boredom can be a double-edged sword.

– Where do you travel in your imagination these days?

I often travel to places outside of the U.S.in my imagination recently, given what is going on inside of the U.S. My imagination is mostly flowers and ambiguous, sensual figures and idyllistic societal visions of what we could be living like right now, if not for capitalism and patriarchy. My imagination is ethereal, dream-like, and sometimes all-consuming.

– Apart from sending a message, is it enough that your art just be beautiful?

I think It’s important for the viewer to be drawn to my work in some way that is more than just what it looks like. As an enjoyer of art myself, I feel this inner pull when I look at a piece I really resonate with. It makes me take in all the details and think about the technique of the piece. I would love to create that sense of connection, or even intrigue, especially when my art concerns the traumatic memories I paint about. I think the most important aspect of art is the meaning that gets drawn out of a piece by the person experiencing it.

– Have you ever considered the canvas limiting to your creativity?

Definitely. Sometimes, a white and blank canvas can be intimidating! Sometimes, the paint itself isn’t enough to express the ideas of your piece. That’s why I love collage work and using a canvas as a base for other everyday objects. I have a piece that I made with an old HSA card, a broken iPhone charger, and some old wire in the form of a woman, looking upward. While yes, the canvas can be a limiting factor, it is a fun challenge to see if you can circumvent the limitations with other materials.

– What does rebellion mean to you as an artist?

The act of being an artist is an act of rebellion in the world we live in. We are meant to just consume, obey, and play into the system without thinking about it. Art gives us the chance to slow down, to observe, to reflect, to try, fail, and maybe workshop a failure into a success. These are all things that capitalism doesn’t have time for; nor does it want you to think you have the agency to spend your time this way. Creative expression is the direct antagonist of endless consumption. I could write a whole essay about that.

– Last but not least, do you think the glass is half full, half empty, or just twice as big as needed?

I’ve struggled with this question my whole life. My life experiences have shaped me to be pessimistic, but being on my healing journey has taught me to reshape the victim mentality into abundance, and it is surely a practice as someone like me. Therefore, I’m going to say that it’s twice as big as needed, because I need to believe in endless possibilities and be hopeful.

ManicWorld Magazine

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