Back in March, I shared about how I’ve been recently inspired by artists who continue to make and create despite state oppression, despite not having access to the “right” tools. In reply to my last newsletter, my friend Alex told me about her students who are currently incarcerated, and the art that they create. More specifically, she told me about a student named Karshara, who made a Keffiyeh out of paper, string, and toothpaste as glue. This is such a clear example of the human capacity to create art for a better world despite extremely limiting circumstance. Later in the newsletter, you’d hear more from Karshara, who is our May artistic angel of the month.

Stories like this have felt especially poignant for me now, because I am in a season where in many ways, I do have access to the “right” tools. For me, having access to the right tools has been life changing. That sounds dramatic, but it's true. Recently, I completed my 8 week letterpress apprenticeship. Towards the end, I got to design and print my own poster using wood type, a linocut piece I carved, and a Nolan tabletop press. I was especially excited about these posters because I got to donate them to the Tacoma Catholic Worker community for their fundraiser. This is a community that has given me so much, and continues to give so much in our community. I felt honored to create something that could support them in providing compassionate transitional housing support here in Tacoma.

When I pulled the first poster off the press, some deep old stories shifted around in me. In recent years, I've struggled to call myself an artist and actually believe it. With access to the right tools, the right support, the right supplies, I could see my artist self a little more clearly. This access is a gift and privilege that I don't take lightly. Just a couple months later, and my pal Emma and I are veryyyy close to having a press of our own to play with. I’ll keep you in the loop!

Artistic Angel of the Month: Karshara
Karshara, a scholar in Wisconsin who is currently incarcerated. 

Thank you to my friend Alex for connecting me with Karshara, so I can share his words and art with you all.

Who are you? 
My Name is Karshara, I was born and raised in Chicago and I am 50 years old. I am a brother an uncle and the oldest of my mother's five children. I love reading an learning about different cultures because I think that we share a link as it relates to our beliefs. As an descendant of enslaved African women and men I have a strong love and appreciation towards learning and understanding pre colonial African beliefs, traditions, and customs. I also love and appreciate art and the stories that art work tells. Art is a way of communicating and preserving ones customs and ideas, its also allows for future generations to understand a uncensored view of what a society or groups were experiencing.I would also describe myself as a good person, a good friend, and someone who is motivated towards improving not only my own life but especially the lives of other young Black men who have been affected by their environments especially with knowing that my past actions were imprinted on the mind of the generation that watched me make bad choice's.So this is some of who I am and I hope that it answered the question. 

What does your creative process look like now? This is difficult to answer because I am not an artist but I do find it somewhat satisfying to conceptualize an idea and begin from there. I have a similar process when I am decorating cakes. I have an idea of something in my head and hope that I can capture it on the cake. As for the collage that piece was inspired by my reading of Simone de Beauvoir. In her readings we examined freedom and oppression. What stuck out to me is understanding how in the fight for freedom it can very easily develop into oppression. This collage examines not only those concepts but it also questions our collective willful ignorance in how we choose to excuse wrongdoing and acts of harm under the false pretense of protecting freedom. With both collages I wanted to highlight this current dilemma that we are being a witness to. I also wanted the viewer to See the art work and read the words, for me those were the voices of those who were silenced and it was important that the viewer saw those words even as they were cut off much like lives of those who had loss love ones or even their own life. I sourced materials from magazines but I also wanted to draw the Kafiya that so many supporters wore. Understanding the history of things is important and the symbolism it represents. The images that I selected were very intentional I crafting a story that the viewer could easily understand.

What aspects of your creative life do you feel most excited about right now?
There are two areas that I am currently focused on. I am going through the process of designing a cake that I will bake and decorate for a graduation here at the institution. My biggest creative endeavor that I am looking forward to is a writing project along with my fellow students. I enjoy writing especially creative writing but I confess that I don't do it nearly as much as I'd like to. This writing project approaches the subject of Not Giving Up on People
It explores idea surrounding moral solidarity, hope, restorative practices, and identity damage. I am looking forward to participating in this project along with my class mates.

Anything else you want to share about what you are working on/creatively or in school or outside of school?
As I mentioned above I am looking forward to this writing project. Our philosophy group read what I believe to be a very impactful book rooted in a feminist philosophy perspective. There were many idea that resonated with me but what made a lasting impression was the concept of Identity Damage and how that informs our own self perception. This is not all that different from the sociological theory of the Looking Glass Self were our perception of self can be determined by how other see us. This understanding of identity damage confirmed to me how I once saw myself strictly because of my environment and background. Having an opportunity to further explore those themes is something that I am looking toward to. Outside of school I am continuing to support my legal efforts to rejoin the community. I do that by focusing on my educational goals and my own personal growth by reflecting on what I aim to be which is a family/community focused person who hopes to affect change through example. On a final note to that question I am still considering if I will audition for a part in Shakespeare, I've performed in four plays so far. This next one is The Tragedy of Titus and Andronicus... 

Thank you all for being here and for reading, as always, feel free to comment or reply, I love hearing from you!

xo,
mag