Why do you create art?
Meet the artists shaping the visual voice of our latest Literary Magazine, “Stories on the Move: Voices of the Unhoused.” Inside the Creative Process reveals what inspires/influences their art and beliefs because the IHRAM Literary Magazine is about diversity, community, and representation.
Meet Ernest and Luis, who are some of the artists part of this issue: for them, art is about human experience and resistance.
Luis Pedro Picasso, “IA”
In comparison, how does your intersectionality influence your view of the world (your personal beliefs, gender expression, religious affiliations, etc.)?
I believe that all human beings are equal since our creation and we must increasingly seek equality. My work represents it in every stroke and will always be my personal struggle.
Ernest Langston, “Cabin in the Woods”
In comparison, how does your intersectionality influence your view of the world (your personal beliefs, gender expression, religious affiliations, etc.)?
I have learned through my international travels that we as humans are more similar to each than we are different. We celebrate common victories and endure common defeats, yet we strive for a better tomorrow, even through a harsh reality, because we believe in the greater good. Our differences are intriguing and offer opportunities for dialogue and reasoning with the choice to agree to disagree. We are all connected, more than some wish to believe, unfortunately, but we are-- and, there lies our strength.
What inspires/influences your artwork, particularly when it comes to addressing human rights issues?
The human condition is fascinating and the common denominator for all. As a human, creative writer, and visual artist, I strive to understand myself, others, and the world. All too often, we are faced with various injustices that tear at our collective fabric and directly point to our human flaws. It is these unrelenting injustices that challenge and strengthen my faith in humanity; I continue to believe that good will prevail over evil. As an artist, I attempt to shine a light on the human experience and offer some joy, solace, and/or bittersweet understanding, but at the very least, I hope my artistic endeavors will let others know that they are not alone.
A snippet from Ernest’s Artist Foreword:
"While unhoused, I often envisioned a secluded, peaceful cabin in the woods, far away from urban danger and the city sounds, that I could call my home. During that time, the idea of living in a cabin was beyond four walls and a roof—it was peace, a better state of mind for personal growth and development."
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