12
P E O P L E
ENSPIRE MAGAZINE WS20
12
ENSPIRE MAGAZINE WS20
P E O P L E P E O P L E
WRITTEN BY : ELIZABETH DUCHAN
Creative Change
ONE OF A KIND ARTISIC TALENT FAVIANNA RODRIGUEZ USES HER UNIQUE ART TO PROMOTE ACTIVISM AND PUSH REAL CHANGE - WRITTEN BY ELIZABETH DUCHAN
Favianna Rodriguez is channeling her art
into activism to spark change that is sure to resonate far beyond her years . The social justice warrior and cultural organizer uses her interdisciplinary talents to address societal issues head-on and provoke necessary discussions about changing their landscapes . Rodriguez has spearheaded and partnered with an array of social movements to tackle issues of gender inequality , racism , sexual expression , and ecology , with her art at the forefront of the initiatives . Rodriguez ’ s career took off in the 1990s , when she began as a political poster designer advocating for racial justice in her hometown of Oakland , California . As a Latina with Afro-Peruvian roots and a self-identified member of the LGBTQ + community , she describes feeling closely aligned with the struggles of many marginalized groups in the United States and found that her art was grounded in the need for political justice . Feeling confined by the education system , Rodriguez dropped out of college at the University of California Berkeley to begin her entrepreneurial work as a political artist . In 2016 , she received the Robert Rauschenberg Artist as Activist Fellowship for her commitment to social engagement and dedication to ending mass incarceration . Rodriguez ’ s art speaks volumes while also allowing ample room for interpretation . Described as being “ visionary , inspirational , and transformational ,” her work intertwines abstract designs and vivid colors to bring topics to life and , more importantly , to discussion . Infused within each brightly painted canvas is a deeper insight from her own unique perspective . “ I am definitely inspired by many cultures throughout the world , especially cultures throughout this hemisphere and also cultures from Africa ,” said Rodriguez . “ I feel like I am a sort of messenger of symbols and colors . And I think that when ordinary people look at my work , they feel that they can feel that knowledge through the colors .” In addition to her work as an artist , Rodriguez is a co-founder of the Center for CultureStrike and the Center for Cultural Power . The two organizations seek to use the work of artists and performers as fuel for social justice , creating an outlet for expression and change . The groups actively participate in a wide range of events that target specific societal issues . Over the July 4th weekend , for example , the Center contributed to In Plain Sight , the coalition of artists and activists seeking to highlight the problems of mass detention through protest . As partners with the Disruptors Fellowship , the Center also helped to empower television writers of color and marginalized identities through an extensive mentorship program . Rodriguez continues to spread her messages about the role of art in inspiring social change through global lectures and workshops . In the coming years , she hopes to expand her work into the moving image to add even more dimension to her storytelling , all while developing an even stronger rapport with her audience . In light of the current turbulent political climate , Rodriguez encourages people to fight polarization
with advocacy and wield creative expression as a powerful voice amid the chaos . “ I believe that art can help us develop a critical analysis and illuminate things that we don ’ t see , both negative and positive ,” said Rodriguez . “ But , most importantly , it can help us imagine a future that is not yet here . It can help us really feel that future .”
I believe that art can help us develop a critical analysis and illuminate things that we don ’ t see ...