I have wanted to do political art since my wannabe punk days in my twenties. But every time I dipped my toes in that direction, my pieces seemed to come out like poorly thought out highschool projects. My biggest problem was that I didn't really have anything to fight for. So I came to the conclusion that maybe I just wasn't meant to create political art.
It took a decade of having this itch unscratched before I finally figured out what my message was and how I was going to execute it. If you live in Canada, you've noticed the worrisome rate in housing costs and post pandemic finding shelter has become a nightmare. I have personally been touched by the kiss of death like many others. Homelessness has rampaged resulting in Toronto filling with encampments. Food banks usage is at an all time high in Canada. The rich are treating tenents' homes as investments, kicking them out of their homes in order to raise rental rates and getting away with it due to a corrupt provincial government, despite going against tenents' rights. After fighting off potential homelessness for two years, I had some stuff to say.
But the next challenge was how I was going to say these things? How do you translate such a specific message into images without having your audience misinterpret it? How do I do it without my work coming off as clumsy? The idea hit me while looking at the works of Margaret Kilgallen. She was a key figure in the Mission School art movement and was inspired by Appalachian signage. As a result she made ornate lettering paintings similar to what you would find in old shop windows. It was the combination of seeing her work and stewing over my political conundrum that I came to my conclusion. If I have so much to say, why don't I just write it? And in the most ornate beautiful letters I can muster up. The message would be clear and concise but the design of the words would be the art component.
Over the last year I have come up with signs with poignant messages, relevant quotes and even some with one bold word to hit the audience in the gut. The lettering started with a heavy influence by Kilgallen's works but I have tried to experiment with new styles and filigree. I even used lettering inspired by my messy handwriting. But more importantly than the font, the messages have been received by viewers with warm reception despite my fears of polarization. It seems that most viewers were on the same page as me.
I have come to prefer this method of expression in an era when everyone has an opinion and it feels like those who shout the loudest are the only ones who get heard, despite those messages being cruel, unempathetic and just plain ignorant. I once thought social media could be the greatest tool for spreading messages, getting conversations going and igniting social movements. I now only see it as a heap of angry opinions and pointless argument. If I were to post anything remotely political it would only be lost in a sea of insults. Discussion is pointless when no one is truly willing to listen. So I appreciate the ability to express myself in my art and it seems to only gain the attention of those wanting to hear the messages. These pieces are for them and for no one else.
This is a long term battle. I would like to find more ways to get involved with my community in order to appease the pain that Canadians are going through. I'm hopeful that change will come as housing affordability is at the forefront of every political conversation. But we must keep the pressure on those who have the power to make change. I'm fortunate to be in a safe position now but the protest sign collection has only just begun. I dream of having a massive collection and after completing a piece I take a self portrait with the whole collection in order to see the growth. I guess all I have left to say for now is thank you, Margaret!