1. enJOY the Resistance (WIP)

’What Does Art Mean to the Community’ Scarf helps BIPOC creatives to reflect on what creativity looks like around them. What do you get inspired from and what is the trend amongst your circle?

The constant influx of traumatic images of the Black community results in exhaustion and burnout of Black people. We are forced to relive our own wounds and empathize with our peers while trying to stay strong enough to hold everyone accountable. While it is important to put out information about black issues in order to bring awareness, it is not solely our job to educate. As Tiana Clark states in her article, ‘This Is What Black Burnout Feels Like,’ “The truth is, I don’t feel like I am allowed to be tired.” At the same time, there is a lack of support financially and socially. As society becomes more politically correct and liberal, the mainstream is paying more attention to black culture. Businesses are initiating relationships with Black artists and designers while still having them not proportionate to their white counterparts. According to the AIGA design census of 2019, a total of 3% of designers were Black compared to the White 71%. This allows only a limited number of Black creatives to thrive at a time, which harms the progression of Black creative excellence as a whole. The persistent strain to create work to defend your experience and truth in an industry that often misinterprets what you’re saying or feeling can cause self-doubt of ability and achievement. How can we use our joy and happiness as a form of resistance?

My project is about presenting a gift of blackness that encourages creatives to make work for their own community, without the pressure of feeling to educate. This is a gift for black designers who are interested in creating content that celebrates black culture. I would like to create a perspective of shining light on trauma-free Black experiences and achievements in the art world. I will look into ways of Black creatives making work for Black people without it being based on struggle but celebration.

Black Joy subscription box

‘We Must Take Any Access, Power, Privilege’ Scarf encourages black artists and designers to create space for others to make work for specific communities. Although it may require a certain level for power, artists have the ability to shape space in specific ways.

‘You Don’t Have to Save the World’ Scarf reminds Black creatives in the face of tokenism, to stay true to yourself. The pressure of designing for specfic communities or having to educate others when they should educate themselves, can be very tiring.