Once again, we are privilaged to hear from a dedicated artist in prison. Yohannes was the very first AIC in 2008 to suggest using art as a fundraiser for Otino Waa Children’s Village, Uganda. Little did he know the project would be so large and create lasting ties to the students.
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Drawing, painting, building or creating, has allowed me to understand our relationship to our creator.
I have imagined that being filled with love and curiosity, and the intention to create something from nothing, is how all things were made. As an artist, this is what our own true purpose is. I can create with intention, add curiosity, and many times, perform miracles on paper. It’s doing what you love and then giving it to others. Art has allowed my mind to be at ease and see others as expression of God in many forms.
There are many forms of prison. Some people take theirs with them wherever they go, and aren’t even behind bars. Art allows me to change the walls & bars around me, as I become an expression of the world that I would like to see.
If I can draw it, I can express it. If I can express it, then I can affect the community beyond me. It has changed me in enough ways to take my upside down teenage self and turn it into a 40 something adult who has purpose.
It’s important for this audience to know that in order to create something beautiful, an artist must first have that within them. If we can do this, then we have connected- audience and artist. Our souls have met. And it wasn’t so bad.
AIC Artist Yohannes Tesfay