So what now? What does it mean to be a rebel nowadays? What do I wish for our new generation of artists?

In my opinion, the first point would be in communication. We need to speak up, and actually talk about these bigger issues that we are seeing happening in our world. We cannot give into the censorship and allow ourselves to be bullied into silence. That is, in the end, how the powers that be will get their way. It is how one day we will be living in a society that we again do not recognise, and realise that the way that we got their was through our own passivity. Those that have a larger platform cannot hide behind the idea that it is ‘above their pay grade’ or that ‘they are only an artist of a certain discipline and are no expert on the matter’. Who cares? Have an opinion! It is the so-called experts who are the ones controlling us! Truthfully, it is those with a more open and creative mind that can often see through the distortion of our world. So, to not act on what we see is to not be who we are supposed to be. If it is believed that the arts don’t serve society, is this not another example of how we do it?

My second point would be to actually go against capitalism and over-consumption. This is one positive shift I have actually seen within society. We are so much more open to buying second hand items than before, without judgement. For us ‘normal’ people, this is becoming far more normalised, with many more people, as well, learning to make their own garments too. However, that doesn’t mean we aren’t still observing a huge period of mass consumption that is pretty much promoted by the media. Ironically, even if the artists at the top of their tree do speak out against this issue, it becomes increasingly hard to see the sincerity of their protestation when they are donned head-to-toe in designer clothing by brands that tend to go against the fundamentals of what it means to dress in a more eco-friendly way. In wearing these clothes, they ultimately end up further promoting these brands as desirable, which is what keeps people buying them. And so, the circle continues. The importance of an artist’s image very much rests on the fact that it is the externalisation of what it is they truly stand for.

Following along the anti-capitalist vein, my third point would be to create mindfully. Look at the world and really see it for what it is. So much of what we see is created, so if it is ugly, is it not us who is creating it? If we understand that what we build in this world must be precious, useful, and stand the test of time, then surely this should be reflected in what we create. Do we want to own ugly things? No. Do we want to live in ugly places? No. Do we want to have ugly experiences? No. So why design or make ugly clothes, ugly buildings, ugly anything? Of course, what makes something ‘ugly’ is open for debate, but I think we can all agree, across all kinds of styles, aesthetics, and purposes, what works and what doesn’t. If we don’t want society to waste things, make things that people don’t want to waste. Put time, money, and effort into the things that will be cherished and enjoyed- which goes just as much for music, film, and theatre, as it does physical items. As much as an argument can be made about the importance of self-expression and the freedom to create whatever it is we want, do we not owe it to the planet to focus on increasing its beauty and furnishing it with things that do not waste its resources? Or at the very least, projects that share a profound knowledge or connect deeply with audiences in unsurpassed ways?

Fourthly, it would be to remain very open-minded. And I mean in all definitions of the word. Don’t take anything at face value. Don’t believe in something just because the ‘experts’ are telling you. More and more we are witness to circumstances where it is apparent that even the experts don’t even really know what it is they’re talking about. They always say that if a person talks confidently and looks the part, they will be believed. Perhaps we should start being a little more judicious. Additionally, it is important to remain open-minded to all the more unusual miracles of this world- spirituality, natural healing, mindset, manifestation. Things that are believed by some and yet shunned by others. Pick them apart and find out for yourself. For, in a world that heavily focusses on monetary payment for everything, even health, they don’t like us to discover or believe in alternatives that would turn us away from their profit-making ways, and so often they belittle them so we never take them seriously enough to even investigate.

And lastly, we cannot risk not taking risks. I don’t mean for this to be a call to arms in a way that encourages people to go so far as to completely obliterate their livelihood, but I still think it is worth mentioning. We can put the blinkers on and bury the head in the sand, hoping that if we ignore all the horrors of the world that they will go away, or we can find a way to make a difference. Funnily enough, I don’t believe in watching the news or saturating our minds with the unceasing negativity, because I believe it makes us more fearful and immobile. But we don’t need to watch to news to be aware of the changes happening around us. Nevertheless, we do need to be able to stand up for what it is that we do believe in, and show that there are alternatives to the common narratives that are pushed. Alternatives that are much more kind and gentle and unmalicious to the people on this planet, as well as the flora and fauna that we share it with. Maybe, we cannot personally put an end to all the things that are concerning, but together, by pushing against the one problem that matters most to us, we will be able to make more of a difference than we can likely predict. Otherwise, we run the risk of being part of the problem, letting things go on so long that it becomes more and more difficult to reverse them, only meaning that our children will inherit a world that is so much worse that the one that was left to us. It is our turn to put a stop to its continual demise or we just end up passing on the pain.

Perhaps, in contrast to the hell-raising generations of artists before us, the new generation will be recognised by their connection to and understanding of the planet, universe, and cosmos. Their strong internal core powered by a free spiritual belief and an acknowledgment that the world is an abundant place with enough for all. There will be a commitment to beauty and magic within their work and within their lifestyles, placing value on mindful creativity and a connection to everything and everyone. Their freedom will be found in the control and understanding of their own bodies and their own minds, shown through their advocacy for natural healing and their capacity to self-heal. For, in this day and age, it is through our diets and media consumption that we are made to be more easy to control and more dependent on the state. If we want to regain our authority, then we must disentangle ourselves from our world’s insidious invasion of our very being.

This is my perspective. This is what fills my mind when I think about what it is we should be embodying as the creative people of today. The ways in which we should be fighting for our own freedom against the issues that we face in this complicated modern world. The ways in which we can lead by example. Although some are very different in comparison to what it once meant to be an artist, some are very similar, and ultimately it is all about challenging the status quo. Challenging what it is the governments want from us, so they can’t have it all.

It is a pathway I endeavour to follow…

Won’t you join me?

Communication | Anti-Capitalist | Mindful Creativity | Receptive | Take Risks