The Daily Dose x “No Art, No Heart”

Yesterday I wrote on what I love about being home and just Africa in general, even though I’ve never travelled any further than Zambia . . . so I guess what I love is Southern Africa.

In any case, here it is, I hate how we as creatives are perceived here. Maybe not those who’ve made something of their creativity and earn some level of sustainable living, but certainly at the earlier stages of an artist’s growth.

Is it a cultural thing ?

Why can’t we openly and happily encourage and embrace the sparks of creative talent that are so apparent in so many parts of our land.

Why are the Arts not guarded and propped up and promoted as an asset that this land has ?

Why must my choosing to be a musician bring some sorta fucked up shame to my family or have me seen as lazy or misguided ?

Is the pursuit of money and material wealth all there is to this place ?

Don’t our hearts desires and our spirits will mean anything ?

Africa is after all where the beat that carries every genre of music was born.

Why then do we stifle the growth of our creatives ?

Why do we look down on those sent by The Creator himself to bestow upon this beautiful Earth the closet pieces of Heaven man can access. Cos that to me is what art is . . . its little pieces of Heaven. From singing to dancing to painting ALL OF IT !!

Speak to anybody in the “creative world”, when you’re creating sometimes you can’t even explain how or why you’re able to. Sure you’ve practiced and worked at your craft, but in those moments when you apply it and reach out for that all important inspiration . . . when it comes, you’re gone and something else takes over. (the above vid explains it best.)

I’m gonna do my bit to change this, because it eats me up . . . it hurts me to see, to know or even feel.

Without ART we die. You can’t even spell the word “heart” without the word “art” at the heart of it.

So even if you think you can’t or whatever, sing at the top of your lungs when the moment takes you . . . dance till the sun comes up and then some . . . paint faces in the sand . . . and let your inner artist live.

Cos’ by doing so, you’ll live too. Its not enough to just get wet, you gotta actually feel the rain. (R.I.P. Bob Marley)

pow!

Tehn