“Unlike many artists, she had never considered herself a mere vessel for the muse, or a medium, or even a parent. Her songs weren't her "babies". Her songs were her.” ArtMusic Book:The Subtweet Source: The Subtweet
“It's exciting to consider how art, in its ability to reveal, can be ahead of the artist.” ArtArtistAbilityExciting Author:Vivek Shraya
“I feel like I have had to catch up to the art I've made, and learn from the protagonists I have written, especially in relation to gender.” FeelsArtMadeWrittenRelationGenderProtagonists Author:Vivek Shraya
“As much as I believe in the capacity for art to create change, and as much as being an artist is physically and emotionally challenging, there is ultimately something a bit comfortable about making art in the comfort of your own home.” BelieveArtHomeArtistI BelieveBitsChallengesComfortComfortableCapacityI Believe InBeing An Artist Author:Vivek Shraya
“I do use art as a site of protest, particularly in relation to dominant narratives.” ArtUseRelationNarrativeProtestSiteDominant Author:Vivek Shraya
“In my thirties, I have felt a greater urgency to make art that highlights what it feels like to be racialized, likely due to living in a country that obscures our racism with the idea of "multiculturalism."” FeelsArtIdeasCountryFeltGreaterRacismDuesMulticulturalismUrgencyHighlights Author:Vivek Shraya
“If anything, I have witnessed the ways my art travels, or is rendered more accessible, when sanctioned by or connected to white artists.” IfsWayArtArtistWhiteConnected Author:Vivek Shraya
“I am more likely to get paid for my art if it's presented alongside a white artist, so the questions around value and agency arise: What choices should I make, or do I have to make, if I want to be compensated for my work? Why isn't my art valued on its own?” IfsWantShouldArtArtistValuesChoicesWhitePaidAriseAgencyShould I Author:Vivek Shraya
“Despite the fact that I'm not highly skilled in any visual art, aesthetics have always played a strong role in my art, including my first albums.” FirstsArtFactsStrongRolesIncludingAlbumsDespiteVisualsAestheticsVisual Art Author:Vivek Shraya
“I have always considered the aesthetic of a project, including press photos, as a means to further the message of the art itself.” MeanArtProjectsMessagesPressesIncludingAesthetic Author:Vivek Shraya
“As a brown artist, I have mixed feelings about my relationship to art and my "responsibilities" post-Trump.” ArtFeelingsArtistResponsibilityTrumpPostsBrownMixed Feelings Author:Vivek Shraya
“I have dedicated a significant portion of my time and artistry to making art that addresses various forms of oppression, including white supremacy, misogyny, and biphobia.” ArtFormWhiteIncludingVariousSignificantOppressionMy TimeAddressesDedicatedPortionsMisogynyWhite SupremacyArtistrySupremacy Author:Vivek Shraya
“I have been and continue to be committed to art as a tool to ignite, comfort, and discomfort.” Has BeensArtComfortToolsCommittedDiscomfortIgnite Author:Vivek Shraya
“I would love to see more dialogue around the "responsibilities" of art consumers - how can audiences better financially support artists we love, artists who are doing the work, so that artists have a more solid foundation upon which to make art?” ArtArtistResponsibilitySupportAudienceFoundationDialogueConsumersSolid Foundation Author:Vivek Shraya
“My art career often feels less like an art career and more like a career in educating, usually by using my body.” FeelsArtBodyCareers Author:Vivek Shraya