You would think it would be obvious to someone who considers themselves an artist: there is room for artists.
Last night it struck me: not only is there room for artists, they are very much needed.
As I strolled through the Andy Warhol and Ai Wei Wei exhibition, I found myself confronted by two phenomenal creative thinkers and artists known for challenging views and causing people to stop and think.
As I looked on their canvases I couldn't help but consider a different way of seeing life, politics, culture, humanity and art itself.
It was almost as if I could feel their emotions drawing them to the point of creative overflow in an effort to make people consider new ideas: something that had etched its way onto their mind and been eating away at them.
Anger. Frustration. Humility. Happiness. Grief. Whatever their emotion during the creative process, I was hit with my own emotion as I lost myself for a moment in their works.
A shift
After contemplating Andy Warhol's famous dollar sign, I considered the relationship between business and art...
After looking at Andy Warhol's work 'Shadows' I considered what it meant to transition from darkness into light...
After staring in shock at Ai Wei Wei 'Dropping The Urn', I considered the place of history and the hard work of those who have gone before us in our culture today...
Somewhere during the exhibition, I birthed a deep appreciation for the artist.
As I walked out of the gallery I wondered what the world would be like without artists.
Who would capture the attention of the masses and cause them to question?
Who would inspire people to find the beauty in the world around them?
Who would captivate imaginations to consider things differently and trigger innovation?
Who would advocate for matters in a way that engages a crowd and empowers individuals to have their own interpretation and opinion?
The crowds of Melbourne White Night 2016 swarmed past me in their excited hurry, as I followed my fiancé down the footpath in a dazed state feeling completely and utterly empowered as an artist. Empowered to look at the world and question, look to Jesus and share, look at how things are and consider a different way, and empowered to create beautiful things to simply make people happy.
There is room
This morning I woke up and listened to Missy Higgins' latest song, 'Oh Canada'. This song describes one asylum seeker's story. There are not words enough to describe the power of her masterpiece, and there is absolutely no surprise this timely piece has gone viral online. This is one example of an artist causing people to consider, empowering the audience to have an opinion and spurring people towards action.
There is certainly room for artists in our world. In fact, we need artists.
This afternoon I stopped to join a crowd of people watching the break-dancing buskers who frequent the corner of Bourke Street Mall in Melbourne, and I didn't see anyone frowning.
Instead, the blank-faced people I brushed shoulders with walking across the road only moments before stand amazed with animated smiles across their faces. I'm thankful for the artists for brightening everyone's day, including mine.
So, if you are an artist, go and create. Cause people to think, feel, have an opinion, be filled with emotion, experience Jesus and have a smile spread across their face.
And remember, even if you do not identify as an 'artist', you have the ability to create and lead too: so be daring, embrace it and create a little.
'True art is characterised by an irresistible urge in the creative artist.'—Albert Einstein
Charlotte Goiris is an upcoming Aussie actress and model. She is passionate about social justice and story telling. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to receive regular updates @charlottegoiris
Charley Goiris' previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/charley-goiris.html