Growing up I adapted a love for art to express, not only myself, but my emotions going on at the time. Some of my art could be disturbing, questioning, and even funny. I always believed, and still do, that art is expression. Expression through art can become very therapeutic and is considered to be a coping method. Expression is also passion, and passion drives activism. So mix expression with art and you will see a whole lot of passion showing through.
The Guerrilla Girls were the first ones to cross my mind. Considering the Guerrilla Girls were a group of girls who were passionate about fighting sexism and racism within the art world. The group was formed in New York in the mid 80s, and since have been exposing the discrimination and corruption through their signs, banners, books, posters, billboards etc. With their striking appearance of wearing gorilla masks, they bring attention to themselves which in turn brings attention to the issues and questions they bring up. When some were interviewed you could see the passion burning within them for art and the artists who create them. It is important to tackle these issues because equality goes so much further than what we see today, but yet there is still gender and race inequality within the art world, so bringing to light this issue may bring up a topic for discussion and expose things about the art world that little by little will eliminate inequality in general from art.
The Surveillance Camera Players brought up the question to me, "if we are being watched and filmed almost everywhere we go, how can we ever really be ourselves with the worry of being watched?" When we are days away from a performance on our dance team I always ask for one of my co leaders to record the group and I dancing so we have it for the week to look it over. Many times I find that the recording is worse than when we weren't being recorded, and that is because we know someone was watching us. The Surveillance Camera Players go around and put up signs, such as ones that say "Big Brother is Watching" representing the government watching us through these cameras, to mess with them and show rebellions to this growing problem. It is important to tackle these issues because expression at times can not be shown through eyes watching, but in loneliness.
Amy Black is a female tattoo artist that is taking the world by storm with her creations. She takes old self harm scars and turns them into a beautiful creation. She says that by her doing this she helps take away from the area on a persons skin that they would like to draw attention away from. But, in doing this she always is showing these people with self harm scars to not be ashamed of them but to embrace them with beauty. That what once was a painful reminder of a past life is now a current story that can be shared. Self harm marks are always seen in society as weak and ugly, but through Amy's work we can see the importance of showing women, and men, that this has past and look for a brighter tomorrow. Never be ashamed of your story.
Activism through the art world is so much different then in other places. The activism I see in politics and in other places grabs my attention, but not my emotions to want the change they are trying to promote. Through art, it can be such a powerful and overwhelming sensation that I can feel what they activist is feeling and their drive, or passion, to take a stand and change things for the better.
Guerrilla Girls
The Surveillance Camera Players
Amy Black- Tattoo Artist
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