I am an artist; a photographer, a writer, a teller of truths.
I create art to see, and be seen in my wholesness; my truth. I help other underrepresented people to recognise and rejoice in the beauty of their being, their wholeness and their truth. I help and encourage them to be seen.
My art upholds my deep rooted beleif that we can all be art. My photographs cause others to look at themselves and each other not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually. As beautiful creations of nature, to be revered and honoured as such; like a majestic tree, a beautiful flower or a powerful creature.
We are not separate from nature.
We are not separate from each other.
We are not separate from truth.
We are nature. We are one. We are truth.
I use self-portraiture to explore the big questions of who I am, how I became this person and how I can break free of the thoughts and actions that hold me back from my purpose and thus my power. I use my words to tell the story of my life and my growth. In doing so I help others to do the same.
When we see ourselves in truth, we can see each other in truth
And we return to each other as one, in that truth.
I commit to making the work that I feel is missing from the world; art which celebrates those who have been neglected or disparaged by society and traditional art. I tell the unheard stories of those who matter, but have been told that they do not. My art empowers and uplifts. It challenges and provokes. It does not contribute to the oppression of other marginalised groups. It encourages the viewer to examine their version of truth, shows that truth is not absolute, and aims to use this realisation to inspire positive change. I welcome collaboration with others who share my vision for this change.
My driving force is the desire to understand myself and the world around me as fully as I can with my time in it, and to encourage others to do the same; causing a ripple effect which draws humanity together in it's full power towards a new world in which future generations can all delight. I recognise that this is change that will not hapen within my lifetime, but will not let this deter me from the vision.
The art that I create is my legacy. I make art that I, and my ancestors are proud of. Art that my descendents will be proud of; for it is how they will know me, what I cared about, and what I did to try to make the world a better place in which for them to live.
Expand the circle- Tell a friend!
This manifesto was written as my first assignment for the wonderful Naked Marketing School, which I was so deeply honoured to be offered a scholarship to take part in last year. The British socialisation still makes me cringe a bit when reading this back as is sounds so lofty, but we were strictly instructed to get ‘snicky’ (think BIG!), and do you know what? It works. Reading this back really helps to ground me in my purpose and strengthen my resolve to keep creating, by reminding me that my art matters.
I’ve written about the course, and how it has changed me and my confidence in my art and self in a separate post which I hope to publish soon, but if you are an artist who needs to authentically connect to marketing your business, Yan ‘Magic Pants’ Palmer and ‘Bloody’ Bec Griffiths™ are your dream team. There are currently limited places available for enrolment in the 2022 class, which is the last time it will run in it’s current format.
Your photographic works and vision are inspiring. With love, a fellow photographer.