Life Imitating Art, Mimesis
An artist's technique mimics the evolution of self
This post is a collaboration piece between myself and Alex B. Her art work inspired me to write a poem and essay, which then led to a discussion about her artisitic process and I was inspired by her responses. Her approach to art is how I view everyone's journey through life. Life imitating art, mimesis.
Humanity is a quilt of of experiences, beliefs, and emotions sewed together. We are not static beings but dynamic works in progress, constantly evolving and shaping ourselves. Each layer of our existence, from our childhood memories to our adult aspirations, contributes to the intricate patterns of who we become.
Throughout life, we edit our stories. We revisit past experiences, reframe narratives, and rewrite our self-perceptions. We judge ourselves against societal standards, personal expectations, and the opinions of others. This self-criticism can be a powerful motivator, driving us towards growth and improvement. However, it can also lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.
Alex B - "I start adding the white see-through plants. It started off good on the sides. I wasn’t brave enough to paint them on the top, so I tried them on the sides first"
Life means accepting we are all works in progress, in a constant cycle of critique and revision. We question our choices, doubt our abilities, and seek validation from external sources. This process can be challenging and sometimes painful, but it is essential for personal growth.
Alex B - "I spent all of 2023 sitting with this concept. I didn't want to make something that everyone else was making. No trendy artwork just to make easy money. It has to feel good and he authentic.
When I start a new piece I almost always hate that first layer lol. My way of "correcting mistakes" was to cover them with black. Well this opened up a new door to my style. I learned that my coverups were not to mask any mistakes and I used them to add more layers to my piece. Take contrasting designs and make them one. I do this with my collages too.
So now, its my signature thing that I do and my designs turn out wayy better than I expect."
Ultimately through self-reflection and introspection, we learn to accept our imperfections and embrace the imperfections of others and eventually allow oursleves to just....BE.
When Spirit Speaks to Me
She says
You’re Beautiful
But I’m such a Work In Progress
When Spirit Speaks to Me
She says
So is everyone else
Claim ALL your thick layers
When Spirit Speaks to Me
She says
Keep writing
But am I any good?
When Spirit Speaks to Me
She says
Keep writing not because of your greatness
Because it’s a pathology
Needing you to be
Moved enough to feel
Comfortable to walk
Authentically
Creatively
Hopefully
Eventually
Very Confidently
When Spirit Speaks to Me
She Says
You write
You create
To relax
To release
To lay down
In your unique beauty
And speak your truth
When Spirit Speaks to Me
She says
My pain
Your pain
Our collective pain
Needs another
Empowered voice
To tell our stories
When Spirit Speaks to Me
She says
Magnify our joy
Through our stories
Show them we’re human
When Spirit Speaks to Me
She says
Doubting yourself
Means doubting me
When Spirit Speaks to Me
She says
Come lay down
Get comfortable
Write for your soul
Write for our humanity
Other Worthwhile Reads:
I'm a Girl Just Wanting to Have Fun
In our fast-paced world, achievement often becomes the primary measure of success. Trust me I have been on that hamster wheel. Where I am constantly striving for the next goal, the bigger win, the loftier accomplishment.
 | A guest post by
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Badiana, this is beautifully written. Seeing this reminds of the first time I started showing my WIPs. I felt very exposed, unsure, anxious and the feeling of not being good enough. Years of minimizing the perfectionsim mindset.
It reads like you're telling a story of my life.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful words and I'm deeply grateful for doing this collab with you.🤎
Good job with marrying the conceptual artist with the conceptual poem. Love the collab.
It’s hard to feel enough
When we stifle
Suffocate
SILENCE our intuition with doubt
But the ART claws its way out
Defenseless
It seems senseless
Useless and demented
Till Spirit and Ego reach a consensus
To chill da fuck out
To let ART be —
Not make art BE
And in that place we concede
We are free
To listen
To CREATE
Not impede upon Spirit with our condition:
Self-hate.
🫶🏼