Friday, July 9, 2010

"Your silence will not protect you" -Audre Lourde

My favorite old blue Chevy Cavalier had this bumper sticker on the back. It was my favorite sticker and car. Both were totaled in an accident with a drunk driver who ran a stop sign. I really must research and find a replacement sticker online because it felt good to ride around town knowing such a powerful message was back there for all to see. Silence is a peculiar thing. During meditation it is the thing you aspire to. You work to quiet the mind, to simmer down all thoughts of the day and in this silence connect with a peaceful state. Silence is necessary for true growth and reflection. But, if you take that same silence and place it in a situation of oppression, abuse and injustice it can be very dangerous. It can't and won't protect you. My entire career I have worked with youth and communities to empower them to un silence, to rant, to speak, to get involved in the healing. The performance art, guerilla art and poetry I create all have a theme of action, of doing, of never being silent. Silence is a interesting space. A blessing and a curse. Today, I focus on silence. The power to be silent and the power to be heard.

Speak on!

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Artist Statement

I create art for the ones who lost their voice a long time ago. I believe that impromptu spectacles can bring awareness to social justice issues that paralyze our communities. Lady Terror examines the relationship between public space and performance space and also explores ranting as a medium to address social issues and as a tool to empower communities. My art is local and neighborhood specific in its execution but global in its ideas around poverty, injustice and violence.