Artist Statement Pre-write Questions

I didn't know what to write for this week, so I thought I'd work on my answers to these questions. I have to say, these questions are not easy to answer, and I'm not even done with half of them.  

• If there are other things that inspire you beside art, what is it and how does it inspire you? (ie. music, poetry, outdoors, travel, computers, sports)  

Music is a big inspiration for me in creating art. Music itself is a form of art, and in many ways it can stir emotions and thoughts the same way that visual art does. Each song has its own color, or colors, and each sound creates a visual representation in my head. I like to incorporate the colors and pictures I see when listening to music into my artwork, in which I also strive to convey thoughts and feelings.

• What person or persons in your life were supportive or have been a role model for you choosing art?  

My parents have always been supportive of my interests. They let me take art classes since I was little and encouraged me to improve my skills over the years. They never hesitate to take me to art museums and see exhibitions. My mom also helped me to decide on becoming a serious art student.

• What might a specific college’s geographic location have to offer you in your studies and how do you hope that place can inspire you or offer you resources for your work?

The ideal place for me to study in production design is undoubtedly New York City. The location will offer renowned performances to learn from, and opportunities to work on actual stages. The art galleries and museums in New York will also possibly inspire me in the creative process.

• What role do you hope to play and or what do you aspire to do after you have your degree?  

It’s my dream to work on a performance stage, either as a designer or simply someone who makes the designs. I also hope I will have the chance to travel to other parts of the world while working with a performing group. 

Prejudice is the Last Thing I'm Paying for

A few days ago I lost my respect for a teacher. I don’t want my education to be filled with prejudice by him.

There was one time when he mentioned a movie, a sappy, cliché romantic film, and after he commented on how terrible it is, added, “But girls will love it.” I was immediately irritated; is he trying to say that girls have bad taste in movies? I tried telling him that I was offended by his stereotyping, but he quickly justified himself with the idea that labeling helps people to learn.

He believes that girls constantly dream of romance and a tall, handsome boy to come and save them. When we were discussing the difference between romantic as describing love and romantic as pertaining to Romanticism, he specifically called the female students to distinguish the two. I told him that boys make the same mistake as well, and he didn’t believe it. He asked students who made the mistake to raise their hands: three girls, two boys. He seemed utterly surprised.

I can proudly say that I’m a supporter of feminism and LGBT rights. And I HATE when people say “That’s gay.”

This teacher says “That’s gay” numerously while teaching. I asked him to stop saying it and he forgets it the next class. I don’t think he is purposely insulting gay people; on the surface he speaks for “gay” as meaning happy. He just blindly follows whatever phrases young people are using nowadays to sound casual. I’m not making an excuse for him, however. If those people use “gay” to describe something stupid, that means they must equate “gay” with “stupid” in their heads, whether they know it or not.

What enrages me the most is the fact that he is a teacher. If teachers look down on girls and say things like “That’s gay,” how is that going to affect the students? A lot of students in my school already say sexist and homophobic things like that. To them, I can at least tell myself that they’re immature and stupid, and move on. And that is why I don’t respect this teacher anymore, because he is just as immature and stupid. 

Well, anyways, I’m too busy dreaming about working on a super awesome concert with laser beams. Now excuse me while I enjoy watching black and white films and TV shows about murder.