Respect for Activist Artists
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7mJ-thM8xY
What is my project?
My project focuses on how activist artists are not getting the enough respect and recognition they deserve. All of the time I’ve been online or out in public, I never see or hear any mention of activists artists from anybody. It’s quite depressing to see that some people have never even heard about these famous activists artists like Toko Ono for example who is still one of the most inspiring artists to this day. These types of artists are constantly overshadowed by other skilled artists in the field even to the point of people forgetting artists Toko Ono, Frida Kahlo or the Guerilla Girls.
What is your message to the audience?
My message to the audience is to prove that activist artists are just as important and just as creative than the next person. They deserve the spotlight for all the hard work and dedication they do make the world a better and safer place to live in. Rising against a corrupted societal system that would make others lives quite difficult to get through. That’s why activist artists exist for a reason to show the world they can fight back with just their creativity and strong dedication to their cause.
How did you reach an audience?
The way I was able to reach an audience was by creating a sign on a wall that said “Do you think activist artists deserve more credit than they do now?”. I would pass out one set of notes to each member of the audience and have them write their honest opinions about the topic. As they finished writing, they would stick to the wall under the sign. I would then have them expand upon their opinions to the rest of the audience why exactly they believe activists artists need more attention as I film them.
The feedback I received was quite positive in my opinion, they were very passionate about the whole topic as I told them about it. Their response to the project was incredible, they were open and informative about their thoughts and opinions. It just goes to show how much activist artists are still appreciated and respected in this world and will never be forgotten for their creative actions they brought to society.
How does this project fit into your professional aspirations and your portfolio?
This project fits my professional aspirations and my portfolio is that it involves so much commitment and talent to create such amazing art pieces to showcase the true meaning behind the art. It inspires me to keep going and create my own works, my future profession may not involve activism but sure involves lots of drawing. If these hard working artists can go above and beyond to get their art seen by the public and so should I.
Three Quotes -
“To create a new world, we need to imagine what the world looks like. to conjure up this vision takes creativity and time to wonder.”
This quote from the Art of Activism sums up that activist artists always imagined what the world would look like they if society was got more fair and fixed up. The corrupted system is what drives activists artists to create their own vision of a better future. This type of determination is what makes them recognizable and beloved by others knowing how much they want to change the world.
“The mayor told, him that the citizens of the town, for the first time ever, had petitioned the town government to request something themselves: that a permanent museum be built”
This quote here is a perfect example of how Art Activism can lead to people to take action for themselves. The people of Skoghall were determined to rebuild the museum that Alfredo Jarr burned down. Before Jarr burned the museum down, it inspired so many of those who were invited to exhibit their own work and let everyone see their creativity.
“I wanted to share a few moments that have shaped me as an activist and as a proudly angry black person who has loved art for as long as they can remember”
This quote from Kimberly Drew demonstrates that how dedicated of an activist she is. She wants the world to see how underrated and talented other black artists in the field. They deserve the respect and attention they need which lead to Kimberly creating her tumblr that focuses on Black contemporary Art for the audience see and learn.
4 Inspirational Artists -
Yoko Ono is one of the many inspiring artists that have gained respect and appreciation, due to her infamous “Cut Piece” performance. Which involved her sitting still on the ground as her clothes are being cut off by the audience members to prove which Considered a breakthrough piece of performance art, it tackles issues of consumerism, gender, class, memory, and cultural identity.
Frida Kahlo is another inspiring artist I chose for this project due to her unwavering, vibrantly colored self-portraits that address issues like death, the human body, and identity in her self-portraits.
Guerrilla Girls is another incredible group of activist artists I’ve come to respect who are committed to opposing racism and sexism in the art industry. The group's main goal is to raise awareness of racial and gender inequalities in the larger artistic community and society.
Kimberly Drew is also another inspiring activist I’ve come to appreciate and learn about. Kimberly is more of a curator than an artist. She’s proven time and time again how dedicated she is showing love and respect to Black artists in her Tumblr blog and naming it “Black Contemporary Art”.
Research Links
Keter, Cherono “8 artists using their creativity to drive activism” Global Citizen, https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/artists-activists-using-creativity-for-change/
“Art as Activism: 8 artists who led the way” 1000 Museums, n.d.,
https://www.1000museums.com/art-as-activism/
VanHise, James L., “Why activists need art to create social change” Waging Nonviolence, 20 Dec. 2021,
https://wagingnonviolence.org/2021/12/why-activists-need-art-to-create-social-change/
Żelazko, Alicja “Frida Kahlo” Britannica, n.d.,
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Frida-Kahlo
“Guerrilla Girls” Tate, n.d.,
https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/guerrilla-girls-6858
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