My current source of inspiration is Theaster Gates.

I’ve had to move away from my family and loved ones multiple times to try to fulfill a life of creative satisfaction and self-sustainability — however, I still have moments where I feel unsatisfied and exposed. And as time progresses and my parents age, those feelings only seem to amplify. Theaster has done the exact opposite during his career. He’s remained in the Southside of Chicago and has found great success in his local neighbourhood. Not only does Theaster challenge the notion of having to move, he’s invested and grown his local community in unimaginable ways — from converting a crumbling bank, which was a beacon of systemic oppression, into a hub celebrating black culture, to converting abandoned homes into communal spaces.

I’ve been a believer of the saying “think global, act local” since I was introduced to this conduct in Russell Brand’s “Revolution”. What’s uplifting and boundary breaking in my mind, is seeing how that idea has been expressed and executed in such an artistic way. Seeing art have a tangible impact on his home is powerful and allows you to imagine similar actions in the context of your life too — and what change you can instil in your local community.

“By believing in the Southside of Chicago, it’s given me the most fulfilling artistic career — it’s made me feel safe, free, and home”.