After art school I found some friends kinda crazy.. I couldn’t express viewpoints, or they’d actively discourage me from associating with certain groups. Some ditched instagram for bluesky, adding to alienation. I don’t bother with art grants cause I don’t wanna make art about my victimhood. I resent being labelled BIPOC, my nonwhite genetics don’t define me. The culture makes me feel bad about wanting to say what I want, people are so reactive now. You’d think an education in the arts would foster a culture for differing/controversial viewpoints. This is how we find Truth. It used to be about the Art.
1 super infuriating memory I have bubbling up brings me back to my Toronto days, meeting with dealers in their galleries. “The Kim Dorlands and the David Milnes sell well, why don’t you paint like them?” Sure, but what about what I want to say? Then the same dealers did the whole “oh we got to do better with BIPOC voices and representation.” 2020. Nah, you pretend to be original and creative, but u gotta keep the lights on just like me everyone else. The only difference is that I mean what I say. & now that I have the resources.. I’m starting my own picture book company !
My books will be about critical thinking, creative expression, living freely and valuing the person within. I started it to give myself a place to define the kind of culture I want to partake in. I hope others will join me and if not I hope the act in itself will prove that we still live in a free world, where one can still say what is on their mind, and not just what sells to who has the money.