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| Copyright Ocean_snx |
It’s 2017 and despite this, most parents’ & People in
general are unaware of the fact that a BA Degree/education within the arts, is
an ACTUAL Career.
Most Highschool leavers or children (really, this whole entire generation)
have been brainwashed to think that a career in art is futile. Granted, to
thrive in this industry an immense amount of creativity, hard-work and the
in-betweens’ is required, and maybe even some talent. Art is not futile,
especially if you love it.
Dear Black Parents: Art IS
A Career
It’s true though, that an increase of creatives have emerged,
recently from our generation, but despite this, the stigma around black
children especially, being involved or studying the arts is still there. At a
creatives conference I recently attended, a speaker from the department of
education, who studied within the arts, mentioned how he was mocked, and asked
why he paid 50 000 (Fees back then?) to study music (I think it was music)
and although that was probably, a couple of years back, maybe even more (the
guy looks old, but not that old, but old) the stigma is still there.
South Africa's focus as a country is on mathematics and
science, which isn’t (entirely) wrong but what if the reason some children
aren’t made for school is because they are more creative than numerical?
I decided to have a digital
interview with Ocean_snx
& he forwarded the questions to the lovely Aaliyah Ahmed to gain
their perspective on the matter at hand.
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What are you currently studying and
what inspired you to get involved in the arts?
AA: I’m currently studying History and Anthropology. Although I
do not study "arts" per say, history is still considered as a "
Bachelor of Arts" degree. The BA degree is also known as "liberal
arts" which, when translated, means " worthy of a free person".
This essentially means essential for a free person. Having said this, the arts
has been exactly this, freedom. I grew up being encouraged to appreciate art
and therefore I was always inspired to partake in it even in a small way.
Through art, I can voice things that cannot be said, feel things that have no
rationality. Art makes my life lighter.
OS: I study fine
arts at UCT. It was never really a choice to be honest, more like a fucken (side
note from me: Apologies for the
bad language but it fully expresses Ocean_snx’s Love For Art) random
blessing and curse at the same time…all you do is feel and understand everything
which drives you crazy so you find an outlet which allows you to pour out this
craziness in the most beautiful and purist way possible. In return, you stay
sane and live another day
Are your parents supportive of what
you study?
AA: Yes,
they have encouraged me to explore my passions because we have passions for a
reason.
Do you sometimes
feel that black (any race that is not white) parents restrict their children in
terms of what they can study, that they look up to and praise degrees where
lots of money can be made and relatives can praise them?
AA:
Yes! Coming from an Indian background, many of the parents, of my friends, do
not understand why I’m studying what I’m studying. My family in Joburg always
cross question me about what I'll do with my degree. For most people, security
is the main goal which is understandable considering the struggle they had to
endure in order to make something out of their lives.
OS: Yeah, I do which
really isn’t their fault, they fought too hard to get where they are. Problem
is all these kids just end up in offices, instead of living life with a
purpose.
I was blessed to have a mother who
raised my brothers and I in a household that allowed us to be free from racial
prejudices forced upon us by our elders, family members and my father who’s in
the dark when it comes to art. We were taught to perceive the world in a more
internal way, a way that allowed us to block out negativity and feed off the
positivity inside of us.
As artists, it is our
responsibility to be strong willed and focused because people have little light
about this industry especially those closer to us. Their misfortunes and
upbringing shouldn’t strip you away from your God given talents, you’ll always
go far in anything if you put your mind to it, but there’s no telling how far
you could go with your talents.
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What’s your view of the misconception black people
have that you cannot make money through the arts or that studying it is futile??
AA: I disagree with anyone that says you
cannot make money through studying the arts. Of course, you can! It also
depends on what you place your value on. For some, being very wealthy is the
aim, whereas if you are happy and enjoy what you do, you will not need to have
truckloads of money because your value will be placed on something deeper than
money. Just as there will always be a need for accountants, there will always
be a need for artists. Everyone connects with some medium of art, whether it is
music, film or clothing.
OS: To be honest the whole misconception
has a million factors but one key factor I’ll point out is that Art is
something that goes hand in hand with business. You’re not just painting or
whatever art it is that you perform, you’re also creating a brand/business,
something valuable that needs to be put out there not kept in there.
What would you like to say to young-aspiring black
artists who are conflicted in terms of studying a degree in art or going the
path, their parents want them to.
AA: When it comes down to it, many young
people become the bread winner in a household and have to turn to jobs that
guarantee "security". In that case, DO NOT lose your artistic side!
No matter where you find yourself, do not suppress it. Too many times we are
told that our creative side is not good enough or a waste of time but please do
not let go of it! We need more people who are creative! So, whether you find
yourself behind an office desk or a freelancer, do not compromise your
creativity and keep on finding inspiration to keep that spark alight! If you
have the option, go the "artsy" route, nothing worth
having doesn't come without struggle!
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