Hello

Society paints creativity and artistry as extraordinary traits, this assessment is flawed, they are not. They are mere prerequisites to being human. Our humanity hinges on our ability of interpretation -uniqueness. Minds analysing and prioritizing the facts, hearts dictating the appropriate emotional responses (joy, sorrow, regret), souls supplying the scope and shade of one’s thoughts.

Interpretation

Creation

Art.

Our art consists of small everyday ventures -cooking, cleaning, going to the shops- yet our consciousnesses are crafted by our kin, we are influenced by our surroundings, our income, our level of privilege. Our art is inherently political. Politics is not artificial; it is perfectly natural. We are born with a sense of justice and a moral compass. We are born with an aptitude for political thought. We are born artists, activists, poets, political thinkers. When we embrace our artistic identities our tiny artworks become acts of defiance-cooking, cleaning, going to the shops- to show resilience as a revolutionary act. (way to stick it to the man!)

Although artistry is inherent to being human, in this fast-tracked world dominated by late-stage capitalism, we have lost our humanity. We sit idly by as our soul sisters and blood brothers are slaughtered and beaten in senseless wars; we contribute to the mass erosion of our Earth- the gang raping of Mother Nature. We engage in a crippling culture of consumerism. It has become too easy for us to look away or even engage in atrocities being committed against our fellow man. Mainstream ideology claims that we are separate, we buy into this believe to soothe our guilty consciences and provide excuses for our lazy inaction, but deep down we know this could not be further from the truth. We are all connected and co-dependent. The Zulu people of Southern Africa summarise this fact beautifully in their proverb, “umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu” – I am, because we are.

Being human is not what connects us, rather our inter-connection is responsible for our humanity. That is what makes us human- our shared lived experiences, our sympathies towards our siblings, our care and compassion, our action or inaction. Our art.

It is for this reason that the term politics must be redefined. Politics is not a three-hour long debate between two old, white, men in suits and ties and American flag pins. Politics is not a ruined Thanksgiving because Grandpa brought up the vaccine. Politics is the pain of children in Gaza, women in Alabama, parents in the Congo. Every painting, every poem, every dance is political.

Folk songs. Traditional murals. Tribal dances.

Interpretation

Creation

Art.  Politics.

Every brush stroke, pen click, and toe tap draws from our everyday adventures, our connections, our humanity.

Our art. Our Politics.