Art Is My Weapon Part 2: Art Gun

As seen in previous art I've done, I create 2D ‘art guns’ that resemble designs of AK 47’s, but replace instruments of the original weapon with art tools. The final outcome is an instrument that from first glance represents a gun, but as you look closer you see spray cans, pencils, paint brushes, rolls of film, and other tools I use to create my own art with. The entire meaning of the 'weapon' changes, from a weapon of a destruction to a weapon of creation. Why does one use a weapon? To protect, to fight, to carry. It has a tendency to also defines of ones path in life. Art is what I use protect myself. Art is what I use fight against hate and social injustices. And art is what I carry with me everywhere I go, my badge of love, the definition of my life. Art is my weapon.

Photos by Ray Chi

Art Is My Weapon

"Art Is My Weapon"

This piece along with "Azra" got into the first juried show I've ever entered in, at the Union Art Gallery's 41st Annual Juried Show. Before this I was never into 'art competitions', and I'm still not, but i decided to give this a try because what do I have to lose? Since Ive started at UWM in September Ive been through a lot of ups and downs and social realizations.. I am the only Afro american girl in every single one of my classes, but Ive used this new experience to become strong and leader rather than let it break my spirit, while all these killings of people my age and color flourish the news. In class my peers may think i am different than them, and maybe i am, but only because how they view me due to their own self constructed/ media constructed mental boundaries.

I entered the juried show, my pieces made it in, and on opening night I was announced one of the 3 winners of the show. In addtion, the show before this i was announced as a winner of the outstanding student scholarship for the first year students. Only 'black girl' in the room and damn proud of it.

"Azra"

Can you possibly still love yourself while keeping these habits?

If you missed the show at UWM...

just as all colors disappear into black

so all forms and shapes disappear into her

Self portraits.. Dual personality

One third eye open, the other one closed

Arm and scars overwhelmed with fire, the other drowned in water

black, red

loose yet contained, sharp yet free

Can I possibly still love myself while keeping these habits?

I look at the different sides of myself and feel nothing but..

YOU Be BOY, I Be GIRL,

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TRUE Skool along with UWM's Sociocultural Programming Department presents “You Be Boy and I Be Girl”, a FREE ALL AGES event that will engage both males’ and females’ perspectives as we challenge and aim to change the perceptions of gender specific roles in the urban arts, in media, in the creative and entertainment industries and in community leadership roles.

The daylong event, starting at 12noon, will feature an interactive community art project led by local youth artists/activists, panel and breakout sessions led by experts in the creative, entertainment and community leadership fields and ending with a free and all ages live Hip Hop show featuring Pharoahe Monch and Jean Grae with performances by Signif, KILLwaukee Xperiment and Genesis.

THIS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27

More info here

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A preview of my two canvases for the event