“If anything, art is about morals, about our belief in humanity. Without that, there simply is no art.”
Ai Weiwei
Art and political activism are often woven together in a seamless way. Art can arrive as a form of activism through various mediums, all with the common goal of bringing attention to a particular social issue.
Artistic activism, as a cultural approach, is crucial for political and social resistance. The goal is not to force compliance, which art can never do, but to persuade by creating moving experiences that prompt people to question the world as it is, imagine a world as it could be, and join together in community to make that new world real.
The decision to sketch the political marches I was participating in came about in 2017. Questions flooded me as I walked the streets: What brought all these individuals here? What part of their story led them to feel passionate about this issue? How does one create change?
As I marked the page and studied the signs and faces of fellow activists, a unique form of meditation took place.
It felt important to share these scenes with those who follow my work. I wanted to show what I had seen, what was taking place in my city, and how resistance was being born. This was a small way I could inspire change.
My art became a means of creating consciousness. I did this purposefully. Those who viewed these sketches were forced to consider the topics of immigration, DACA, Indigenous rights, the struggles of BIPOC, womxn. Just like those who needed to make a detour from their usual route to work that day, there is a reroute in thought that I aimed to create.
In every political march that I have participated in over the years, I always find myself noticing the beauty of the faces of those who march, chant, and hold signs. I do not believe these individuals are more beautiful than most, but rather their bold action leads me to feel especially fond of them.
If you see your face here, I hope you know that I respect your presence and political participation. I admire you for exercising your rights and for defending the rights of others.
The scenes themselves are always breathtaking. People from all walks of life coming together for a common goal, making themselves allies, is a marvel.
My goal is to share that marvel with you and use my art as a unique form of protest.