To sum it up in two words: Donald Trump.
Our current political and social climate is arguably the most divisive, chaotic, and turbulent period that anyone of my generation or younger has ever experienced in this country. Being an artist now means something very different than it did a few months ago. If you're a regular reader of my blog, then you probably didn't vote for Donald Trump. And like me, you're probably still struggling to come to terms with what a Trump presidency means for the arts. As artists, we now have a responsibility to be activists, revolutionaries and resisters of the normalization of hate and prejudice, to stand up for marginalized communities and be advocates for an American that serves all of its citizens. Despair can be turned into anger, which is a wonderful tool to mobilize and come together. Dark and challenging times often lead to positive change.
Artists have always challenged the status quo and you are about to see much, more of that. I hope to see more artists examining the ways that they contribute to the problems in society and how they can change them. I want to see white artists calling out white supremacy and to recognize their privilege by supporting and amplifying the work of artists of color. For me as a fashion photographer, this means questioning notions of beauty ― as definitions and expectations of this idea are too often merely passed down from generation to generation without question. This mode of non-thinking has consequences and leads to prejudice.
As an artist, I’m constantly responding to popular culture and the political world around me. It’s how I work. I don't follow an editorial schedule. That being said, a Trump presidency is scary and upsetting but it isn’t new or surprising ― these kinds of tragedies happen all the time, everyday, constantly. We're just paying attention now. And for that, I'm glad.
I think this election is just forcing people to confront a dark reality that so many others already face on a daily basis. Art has always served that same function for me and will continue to. I also think there’s a lot of collective grief happening and art is a really powerful space for expressing that anger. If you’re not the type to protest on the streets or don’t have the words to express your outrage, your voice can still be heard through your art.
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