"The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider's web." - Pablo Picasso
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An artist is a person who creates art. This can include visual art such as paintings, sculptures and photography, as well as through other forms such as music, literature and performing art. Artists use various mediums to express themselves and communicate their ideas and emotions to others.
Artists create art for various reasons - to express their emotions or to document their environment or society, to reflect on their life experiences, to make a political statement or simply to create something beautiful.
Citizen artists, on the other hand, are individuals who use their creative talents and skills to make a positive impact on their communities and society at large. Ordinary citizens with a passion for art but not necessarily professional artists make up the bulk of citizen artists.
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Citizen artists come in all shapes and sizes - Writers, musicians, visual or digital artists, performers or any other type of creative professional who uses their art to engage and effect change in society and by extension, the world around them.
One of the key characteristics of citizen artists is their commitment to using their art first and foremost as a means of inspiration via social activism and advocacy rather than as a means of livelihood.
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They may use social media platforms or partner with organizations and use their art to raise awareness about important social issues or to give voice to marginalized or underprivileged communities to inspire action and social change.
"The artist is the citizen of nowhere. He is the cosmopolitan. The citizen of everywhere." - E.M. Forster
Citizen artists also often use their art to build connections and foster a sense of community. They may collaborate with other like-minded artists, organizations, and community groups to create art that brings people together and promotes dialogue and understanding.
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For example, during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, graphic designers created powerful posters and other materials that helped to mobilize support for the cause and raise awareness about the struggle for equality.
Theatre groups might produce plays that explore the experiences of immigrants or refugees.
Visual artists create murals or other public artwork installations that celebrate the diversity and heritage of a particular neighbourhood.
Musicians may write and perform songs that address issues of racial injustice, environmental conservation or sustainability.
Writers might use their fiction or non-fiction to raise awareness on social or political issues.
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"The role of the artist, then, precisely is to illuminate that darkness, blaze roads through vast forests, so that we will not, in all our doing, lose sight of its purpose, which is, after all, to make the world a more human dwelling." - James Baldwin
In addition to the social and cultural value of their work, citizen artists also play a vital role in the economic development of their communities.
Many citizen artists are either self-employed or work for small, locally-owned businesses and their creative endeavours can help to generate income and drive economic growth in their communities. Despite the many contributions of citizen artists, they often face challenges in the pursuit of their work.
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Many struggle to make a living wage and may have difficulty accessing the resources and support they need to sustain their creative practices.
This is why it is important for communities, organizations and businesses to value and support the work of citizen artists by providing funding, resources and other forms of support that allow them to continue making a positive impact through their art.
"An artist is an individual who creates works that, through form, content and context, attempts to communicate some aspect of the human condition to an audience. Whether the audience understands, likes, or appreciates the work is not the artist's concern. It is the artist's concern to create the work that he or she feels compelled to create." - Charles Krauthammer
Citizen artistry is a powerful and vital force for purposeful social change and community building. They use their creativity and skills to address important issues, foster connections and understanding.
It is important that society celebrates, recognizes and supports the work of these artists so that they can continue making a positive impact in the future.
Prominent Artists
Shepard Fairey - Known for his iconic "Hope" poster of Barack Obama, Fairey uses his art to promote social and political issues such as civil rights and equality.
Banksy - A pseudonymous England-based street artist, political activist and film director, his satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine dark humor with graffiti executed in a distinctive stenciling technique.
Ai Weiwei - A Chinese contemporary artist and activist, his work often focuses on human rights, freedom of speech, and censorship. He has been arrested and detained by the Chinese government multiple times for his activism.
The Guerrilla Girls - A feminist artist collective that uses art and activism to call attention to discrimination and inequality in the art world. They are known for their use of gorilla masks and anonymity to protect their identities while they work.
Yoko Ono - A Japanese multimedia artist, singer, songwriter, and peace activist, her work often focuses on themes of world peace, feminism, and environmentalism.
Dread Scott - A contemporary artist and political activist, his work addresses issues of race, slavery, and social justice.
Swoon - A street artist, her work often focuses on community-based public art projects that address issues such as urban development, climate change and social inequality.
The Yes Men - A group of cultural activists who use humor and irony to draw attention to social and political issues such as poverty, environmental degradation, and corporate greed.
Jenny Holzer - A conceptual artist known for her use of LED signs and projections to display text-based pieces that address social and political issues such as war, poverty, and gender.
Theaster Gates - An artist, designer, and urban planner, his work often focuses on revitalizing neglected communities and neighborhoods through art and design.
Further Reading
"Designing for Social Change: How Graphic Design Can Make a Difference" by Fast Company.
"The Power of Street Art: How Graffiti is Being Used for Social Change" by CNN.
"Designing for Good: How Architects and Designers are Making a Positive Impact on Society" by Forbes.
"How Art is being used to promote Social Change" by The Guardian.
"Designing for Impact: How Design Thinking is being used to solve social problems" by Medium.