In a year when the arts have changed drastically for all creatives, young artists are feeling the uncertainty of what comes next. The members of the Goodman Youth Arts Council explored their own creative muses and inspirations through an original collage and essay as they consider what the future of their own art might look like.
By Ariel Bastida and the Goodman Youth Arts Council
“To create art is an immersive act, demanding that we nourish our senses by submerging them in the materiality of the world around us,” says Shola Jimoh. “From the sun, to the clouds, to the trees, grounding ourselves in the nuances and subtleties of an imperfect reality transforms our physical bodies—and all the pathologies associated with them—into romantic, transcendent bodies of knowledge.” Enama Samules agrees, saying “anything that comes from mother nature, as well as Black art, is beautiful and revolutionary because it has to and has gone through a lot just to flourish!” She adds that, “Black people inspire me because they are original. They are the original creators, artists and innovators.”
For Froy Adan, inspiration comes from a very personal place. “My parents are the ones who inspire me to keep moving forward because of how much they have sacrificed for me,” he says. Froy also contributed a graffiti-style piece of his own art. On the subject of his own creativity, he adds “one day in art class my teacher told me to draw the alphabet—I finally realized that I like to be creative and come up with new ideas.” Ariel Bastida feels similarly, pulling creative inspiration from the love that her Mom always has given to her. “It’s the thoughtful little things she does like writing ‘I love you’ with duct tape when I’m having a bad day,” Ariel says. That makes her want to support other women through art, like her mom has supported her. She added a picture of a New York sunset through the window of a train car as a nod to her appreciation of the “tiny miracles” in life that keep her grounded during times like these.
Music is a big part of Devon Belsley’s creative world. “When I listen to an album that is perfectly written, executed and mastered it inspires me as I see the potential of the play form,” says Devon. “Additionally, the ability to create a platform that will enable change is something that I aspire to create and inspires me to keep working everyday.” When looking for inspiration, Jessica Espinoza thinks of the current moment we are in. “I am very inspired by the women working on the front line to help fight the coronavirus,” she says. “They are strong, brave and encouraging.” Jessica contributed a watercolor of a woman with a personalized note. Sophie Harris contributed political art to represent her interest in the constantly-changing political landscape in America. Each day is an opportunity, that’s why she also says “the sunrise inspires me to continue seeking out the beauty of nature as well as continue to take care of the planet.”