Courage

Conceptually, my work has focused on reproductive issues the last 4 years or so, largely influenced by my activism. Specifically, I'm focusing more on motherhood issues and maternal mental illness this past year, but I've always been passionately pro-choice. It was through pro-choice activism that I became acquainted with Michelle Kinsey Bruns, and later met her in person when she co-chaired an event I had a painting in. Michelle always has very intelligent and thoughtful things to say, but this article she has up on Feministing today really struck me. I've been diving more into the power of narratives in art to create societal change in my own work, but I've been a little timid when it comes to using my own narrative in my work. Producing art work and putting it in the public sphere is already such a vulnerable thing - how much more so when you scrub yourself raw and put your personal struggles in there too?

I've been feeling lately, though, that I have to go there. Especially for my thesis show. Michelle's article today, the courage she had to stand up on that train and then to also put it out online gives me courage too. These are the stories we need to share and get out there, as artists, as activists, and as people if we ever want to change anything.

(originally written for a blog I'm keeping for a class, but I felt it needed to be here as well)