Arts Mind’s Full Word View
by LVTY ART
The human experience, past and present, bad or good, inspires art in the same way that art inspires humans. The interconnectedness of life and art is most evident in that no two persons can experience life in the same way, just as no two artists can produce the same work of art. This is further compounded for empaths, who experience life in a unique way. This extraordinary sixth sense that allows humans to sense the emotions of others deeply can be regarded as a welcome blessing or a terrible curse depending on who you ask or when you ask them. On the Wednesday afternoon I interviewed Michelle, she exuded a calm gratitude for her empathic abilities and the many ways experiencing life as an empath has influenced her expression as a visual artist.
As an art student, her mind is ripe with ideas. For every new idea that pops into her mind, she feels she can birth twenty more. Like a mother, she carefully shapes and nurtures these overflowing thoughts through mediums like pencil and charcoal, pastel, clay, and ink. Right now, oil paint is her go-to.
The 21-year old artist describes her work as a full ‘world view’ — images that represent anything from systemic issues to deeply personal stories. Throughout history, art has been consistently regarded as a means to provoke thought and challenge convention. No matter how aesthetically pleasing the creation, expressions of struggle and injustice or alternatively, triumph and victory can provoke mixed reviews from the audience. Even as we exist in this incredible age of information and communication, issues surrounding race, gender, sexuality, etc., remain points of extreme contention. Like many in her generation, Michelle values her online presence not only as a tool for self-promotion but as a means to expand her perception.
She also feels compelled to include politics in her work. As one of many first-generation Dominican immigrants to grow up in the marginalized city of Lawrence, Massachusetts, the ‘politics of things’ have directly informed much of her existence and the lives of the people who surround her. Whenever she feels uninspired, listening to those stories helps her to reset.
When I don’t feel creative I just call someone. I get inspired by listening to people and their experiences.
Collado incorporates elements of comedy and culture into her work. One of her long-term goals is to create a lighthearted claymation show featuring the experiences of people of color. She shows love for her Dominican heritage by creating pieces directly inspired by family members. Similar to a parent and their child, Michelle’s love for her Dominican culture can sometimes be expressed as criticism. As one-half of the once unmitigated island of Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic (like many formally colonized territories) is plagued with post-colonial issues like colorism and (hair) texture discrimination. Michelle takes pride in challenging these divisive and hurtful concepts through her work.
For all the inspiration she receives from others, Michelle gives back by providing a listening ear. For empaths, feeling the emotions of others can be just as intense as it is deeply moving. In the moments when things get especially heavy, one of her favorite sayings to remember is the term “this too shall pass.”
“I can go through something horrible or even enjoyable, and it helps to remember to either cherish your experiences if they are good and remember that it’s going to pass if it’s bad,” she said.
Recently she has been most concerned with looking towards the future and what it may hold for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color worldwide. It is not just collectively, but how each person of color envisions themselves and their future lives and experiences. Until then, she remains hopeful that the actions taken right now may mean that in the years to come, the “world view” reflected in her art will be more loving, honest, righteous, and inclusive.
For more, follow Michelle on Instagram @artsmind.
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