Freedom of the Arts
When I first tried writing this I had no idea what to write. It was ridiculous, every time I attempted to put pen to paper, nothing came to mind. Eventually I asked a few of my peers to indulge me in what they felt were important. I had thought that their words would magically unlock some sort of profound inspiration in me. But when I read the responses I felt just as empty-minded. Their responses varied, all vulnerable and personal. I knew then I had to look inside myself to find what I deem important.
Eventually I realised that the thing that is most important to me cannot be simplified to objects or people, but a concept. What matters to me is the ability to be creative and the freedom it gives me. I love all forms of art, whether it is poetry, music, paintings, sculpture or dance, any outlet of personal self-expression, have always intrigued me.
As a young person undergoing the rigid, exclusionary education system, I cling to creativity as much as possible. Schools enforce the idea that they are all for individuality but then counter this with underfunding art and music departments. The education system pushes us into boxes to conform to their will and creative arts becomes merely a list needing to be ticked off. They push us to be the model students they want at the same time this strain is squeezing every ounce of uniqueness we hold dear.
That is why I take so much inspiration from artists like Banksy. Their art is always a form of protest. I think even embracing aspects of the arts as a young person is in itself a way of going against the machine and intensifies my love for creativity. It is rejecting the norm and doing something completely unique unlike the rigid system of schooling where compliance is key.
I think art is freeing too, it gives you the ability to do anything that comes to mind, no rules or restrictions. And it doesn’t need to have any fancy meaning, it can just be whatever you deem to be art.
When we live in a world that is full of rules and regulations that can cause us intense stress, making something with no purpose or meaning, art absolves the pressure from day-to-day life.
So that is why creativity is important to me as a young person.