Art as a Catalyst

Behind every monumental social movement, you’ll find artists of all shapes and sizes busy at work. They breathe life into their cause through visual art, music, photography, writing, and more. Sometimes words just don’t cut it when it comes to expressing our truths, so art gives young activists a way to use their voices through a medium that makes sense to them, and we think that’s pretty dope! Imagine the Civil Rights movement without its powerful music or Pride without drag performances– it’s just not it!

Art X Freedom

Art–no matter the medium–is a platform where marginalized voices can be amplified. The intersection of activism and creativity is where artists thrive, bringing new perspectives and mediums into the conversation. Social movements rely on empathy to get the wheels of change in motion, and art is a catalyst for that empathy. Think about it: how many movies, songs, or paintings have moved you to tears?!

When artists combine their passion for a better world with their creativity, they give us a glimpse into what a particular issue truly means to them, which can help us transform our own passions into action. Considering how pivotal young people are to social movements, having multiple creative ways to activate advocacy is essential to everything from LGBTQIA+ issues to climate change and beyond.

Art is a form of freedom for many young people–freedom to express their feelings, freedom to think outside the box, and freedom to be 100% real about their perspective on the issues that matter to them. This Juneteenth, we’re asking ourselves what freedom really means. This holiday serves as a catalyst for us to discuss the ideals of freedom–how far we’ve come and how far we have to go–and artistic expression deserves a seat at the table.

To celebrate artists’ contributions to activism, we’re featuring five art-ivists who are using their craft to bring awareness to important issues like climate change, indigenous rights, racism, gender inequity, and more!

1. Amika George

Periods needed a spokeswoman, and Amika stepped up! As founder of the Free Periods movement in the UK, she’s fighting gender inequity, one tampon at a time. Amika is a writer who harnesses the power of words to raise awareness about period poverty and fights for free menstrual products in schools, shelters, and beyond. Whether it's sharing candid stories about her own experiences as a woman or crafting prose regarding the struggles of womanhood across the globe, Amika’s voice shines through in her writing. If anyone can truly harness the power of creative storytelling for change, it’s her!

Not only has she fought societal taboos about periods with her own writing, but Amika has also created a global movement by inviting other people to share their own #freeperiodstories on social media in order to normalize menstruation for all. We love to see it!

On repeat 📺 : Free Period Stories

2. Tyler Gordon

Tyler Gordon is a young artist known for his remarkable portraits, often depicting influential figures and highlighting important social issues. He gained recognition for his portrait of Vice President Kamala Harris, which she personally acknowledged and praised. Pretty sweet, right?!

Although Tyler became somewhat of an overnight sensation after his portrait of Vice President Harris went viral, he’s been a dedicated and hardworking artist for years now. Tyler was also born deaf, but regained some of his hearing and speech abilities after a life-changing surgery. Due to his experiences with bullying, he is a proud anti-bullying advocate and uses his passion to fuel his artwork. Tyler’s art highlights people who represent the issues most important to him, like George Floyd and the Central Park Five. Recently, he published his first book, Portraits of Power, which features some of the most influential people in activism.

On repeat 🖼️ : Tyler’s portrait of Halle Bailey as the Little Mermaid

3. Tyler Mitchell

Tyler Mitchell is a photographer and filmmaker whose work challenges conventional narratives and celebrates Black joy and beauty. Mitchell became the first Black photographer to shoot the cover of Vogue magazine with his iconic portrait of Beyoncé… yes, the Queen Bee herself! His art disrupts stereotypes and promotes representation while exploring themes of identity and social consciousness.

His first solo exhibition in London was a groundbreaking moment in the crossover between photography and activism, as it explored Black history themes in a way that many had never seen before. Tyler’s depiction of Black identity emphasizes empowerment and self-determination, often pointing to an imagined future that centers joy above all else. His brand of activism is something we want to see more of!

On repeat 📷 : His first published monograph, I Can Make You Feel Good

4. Xiuhtezcatl Martinez

As an indigenous hip-hop artist, environmental activist, and former youth director of Earth Guardians, Xiuhtezcatl (aka, X) is putting out absolute bops left and right. Spitting lyrics about climate change, environmental justice, and the rights of indigenous communities, he uses his music as a vessel for change. X has also spoken at various international conferences, including the United Nations, proving this wordsmith isn’t only limited to music when it comes to his advocacy.

While X has earned many accolades for his recent releases, his activism goes all the way back to 2014, when he appeared at the United Nations COP21 event in Paris. He was only 14 years old and made jaws drop when he delivered a powerful prayer for the planet in English, Spanish, and Nahuatl. We love his commitment to transforming his passion for climate action and indigenous pride into music that we want to jam to 24/7.

On repeat 🎧: Canela, feat. Esty

5. Amanda Gorman

You already know that we stan Amanda Gorman 100% because we did a whole piece about her incredible poetry already. Known to many as the poetic voice of her generation, Amanda gained international recognition for her powerful poetry reading at the inauguration of President Joe Biden. As the National Youth Poet Laureate, she combines her art of spoken word poetry with activism to address issues such as racism, gender inequity, and the climate crisis.

Amanda is a pro at igniting change and inspiring young people to take action on the issues they care most about. She’s always emphasizing the importance of unity and progress while also calling out the harsh realities that many communities face, which is not an easy balance to find. If you ask us, she’s an absolute word wizard!

On repeat 📄 : We Rise, from Variety’s Power of Women Event

There are endless examples of artists transforming their creativity into action, and we hope you’ve enjoyed dipping your toes in with these five art-ivists. Perhaps your gears are turning, thinking about what kind of art you want to create! Whatever it may be, we hope your creations spark deeper conversations, advocate for change, and bring your unique perspective to the world, just like these have.