ART AS ACTIVISM

Undone - Oil on canvas 24” x 24” 2018 Inspired by photographs taken by Getty Photographer John Moore of families separated at the US-Mexico border, this painting depicts the heartbreaking moment when a Honduran mother has to remove her young daughter’s shoelaces before the girl is taken away and incarcerated. Delineation - Binary, ink and gold leaf on wood panel, 12” x 12” 2018

WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU CONNECTED YOUR ART TO A PERSONAL RESPONSE TO A CURRENT EVENT?

Art is more than simply adornment; the influences and experiences of an artist’s life, and their own perspectives, can profoundly shape their expression bringing thought-provoking messages to the world through creativity. Such is the case with Mulgrave parent, Tammy Seybold. Her daughter, Devon, is also an accomplished artist and created the wonderful piece on the front cover of this magazine. We’re honoured to have Tammy’s thoughts and responses to questions shared here. While I have drawn and painted my whole life, it wasn’t until I was living in Hong Kong and witnessing the pro-democracy, or Umbrella Movement, protests there that I felt a pressing need to document the changes I was witnessing. Having been born in Berkeley, and educated there as well, I have long believed in the importance of free speech and peaceful dissent in ethical governance. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, one had to recognise that this was a highly significant nodal point in Hong Kong’s history, and one that should be documented. For me, the most personal way to record this historic time was through my art. I committed to creating a piece of artwork for each day the protesters occupied the streets in that autumn of 2014.

HOW DID THE PROCESS OF CREATING THE ART MAKE YOU FEEL OR HELP YOU PROCESS EMOTION?

For all of my ‘political’ or protest pieces, the impetus to create them actually grew out of feelings of my own helplessness or impotence. Whether it be the paintings I created after the killing of black civilians by the police, when witnessing refugee families torn apart, or after the horror of a mass shooting, I find creating art sometimes is the only thing I can do to combat feelings of despair and frustration. For me, taking any kind of action, even if it might seem small in scale compared to the monstrosity of the event, feels cathartic.

Breonna Taylor - acrylic on canvas, 24” x 20” 2020 Tammy at the June 5, 2020 Black Lives Matter rally in Vancouver with her painting of George Floyd

HOW DO YOU SEE ART AS A MEANS FOR SUPPORTING CHANGE IN POLICY, ATTITUDES, AND/OR SOCIETY?

Visual art, especially protest art and street art, is an ideal conduit for unedited beliefs and emotions of a people. As we have learned, even journalism can be highly influenced by its ownership or outside interests, as can what we view on our screens. For me, the direct nature of taking pen to paper, or brush to canvas, is such a personal and authentic act, and it has power in that authenticity. When that truth is shared in exhibitions or through social media, the message is magnified. It can create community through sharing online, and provide support for the oppressed. In the most hopeful scenario, it inspires others to question their own beliefs or inspires positive change.

HOW DOES THIS KIND OF ART DIFFER FROM OTHER SUBJECTS THAT YOU PAINT?

Often these pieces are created more spontaneously and boldly, since they are made in direct reaction to a significant or disturbing event. For example, while I might work on my other paintings intermittently and over time, the protest art I create is usually done in two or three long and intense sessions, and the bold brushwork and intensity of gesture usually reflects this.

WHY IS ART IMPORTANT TO YOU AND WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO INVEST TIME AND RESOURCES INTO YOUR DEVELOPMENT AS AN ARTIST?

I once had an artist friend say to me that if you are given a talent in an area, you have a moral obligation to at least try to create beauty with it, and to share that beauty with the world. While somewhat extreme, I would say that if we as artists - by which I mean anyone who can create: sing, dance, design, write - if we put our truth and beauty out there it can act as a powerful foil to the deceit and hatred present in our world. That is what drives me.

WHAT EXAMPLE DO YOU HOPE TO SET FOR DEVON AND OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE HER?

I hope that I have shown Devon that when faced with some of the most horrible events and forces in society, to not be rendered inert by despair. Certainly, there is time for mourning and reflection, but when faced with feelings of helplessness, often the best solution is to take action, no matter how small. Just the act of creating in the face of destruction or despair is a personal, if not societal, victory.

TAMMY FLYNN SEYBOLD (she/her) MULGRAVE PARENT