Grace during Grief
COLE (@colecreations.art)
When I first embarked on this piece, it was about my personal response and reaction to Covid-19 as an artist. Now, this piece tells more stories than was my intention. The Covid-19 pandemic is not over because of police brutality and the #blacklivesmatter movement. In fact, the two are inextricably intertwined. Black people have known of the ills of this country for centuries. However, on a daily basis, many of us are just trying to cope and find peace when and where we can. The reality of both of these crises leaves many of us exhausted. In some cases, we are too exhausted to do the little things that bring us joy, that bring us peace. My message to black artists, creators, and all black people: "Keep creating, breathe, take a break, creativity is a cycle, rest, and be gentle with yourself." These words of comfort and affirmation wrap this self portrait piece as a reminder to grant myself grace during my grief. As I reflect on those words more and more, I realize how little grace we, as black people, give ourselves while we are grieving. The life of a black person in America is not "normal", it is not healthy, but it is all many of us know. We might wake up on any given day and mourn the murder of someone we never personally knew, we may feel depressed suddenly because we don't understand how another black child went missing; grief is built into our experience as Americans. We are not ok, I am not ok, but that is ok. I will continue to wake up each day and do what I can, speak up when I can, uplift when I can, etc. Whatever I am able to do each day will be enough. I will not dismantle racism today or tomorrow, but I will give myself grace because my very existence is a powerful protest against racism. My finished piece, "Grace during Grief", is what I was able to do that day, and I hope it sparks more solidarity and strength.
About The Artist
Cole is a self-taught mixed media artist who focuses on re-imagining the magic of everyday life. Coles' work strives to push boundaries and to creatively connect that which seems unconnected. It has never been enough for Cole to just apply paint to a canvas, art should be an experience that engages more than just the eyes. Creating makes one's heart and soul feel good and Cole hopes to share that feeling with as many people as possible. Art functions as Coles' way to connect with others. A child at heart, much of Coles' art is approached with the limitless possibilities that children have. Cole grew up in a home filled with culture and color and hopes their art adds the same to your home. Representation matters. Black lives matter. Black stories matter.