The Power of Art

I've recently been inspired to think about the importance of art in social movements. 

I was amazed when I walked down the hallway at work recently and saw a middle school exhibit dedicated to peace. Sixth graders made peace commitments on handprints that were added together into a peace sign, seventh graders made peace mandalas, and eighth graders did portraits of peacebuilders. What a powerful method for students to integrate a social understanding into their coursework! 

More subtly, the exhibit at the Renwick right now features nature and recycled materials. While it does not explicitly ask its viewers to be better stewards of the earth, that is certainly what it inspires.

I loved hearing the poetry of The Drawbridge Collective. They engaged with issues of identity, family and reflection in a context that was both intimately local and powerfully global. I wanted to carry their words with me into the world. I felt stronger for having had them wash over me.

I also recently went to a book talk for When We Fight We Win, a book that is filled with activist art from Agitarte. It tracks the art that has propelled various movements of the 21st century. 

It's easy to feel as though I'm not good at creating or appreciating art, and then sometimes the universe reminds me that art is to be felt. Creating art is moving the internal to the external. It comes from and speaks to neither our head nor heart alone, but our Light.