Moksha: Artist Profile
In order to help spread a little more LOVE through these difficult times, we’ve invited 5 artists, local and international, to create a piece of visual art based on the theme of LOVE. A return to the multi-media creativity witnessed during the Super Weird Happenings – the formula reworked to create an online countercultural ecosystem for a socially distant world.
The contributions have all been incredible and in the weeks leading up to the release of ‘The Love EP’ featuring brand new mixes of The Emanations from Soul Clap, we’re profiling each of the 5 artists individually.
Moksha has been a multi-disciplinary artist, creative facilitator and producer for over twenty years. She has delivered her gritty, honest and sometimes deeply personal words to audiences throughout the UK. She has also produced many celebrated, underground, transformative events, including Daisy Campbell’s ‘Find the Others Conferestival’. She runs personally devised Expressive Arts Programs for young people suffering the challenges of mental health illness, and continues to create her own bodies of artwork. She specialises in upcycling, using objects she finds in nature, or just everyday use, to create striking abstract collages. Most recently she has been illustrating both her own poetry and that of others for publication.
We asked Moksha a few questions to find out a bit more about her craft, character and community…
Can you tell us anything about the artwork you’ve created? Or would you prefer it to speak for itself?
Some friends used to have a band called Roast. One of their songs had the chorus line, “Put you heart into your hands and put your hands into action.” Which is one of my favourite lyrics ever.
In what ways have the varying art forms you’ve worked within informed each other?
In many ways. I used to worry that I wasn’t concentrating enough on one particular art form but I loved them all in different ways. The poetry definitely informed my song writing and made me a better lyricist and it’s been a real joy combining my artwork with my words.
Has your work with the Expressive Art Programs influenced your own creativity?
Most definitely. Who better to learn from than raw young talent.
What first attracted you to upcycled art?
I just love what you find underfoot in nature. The textures and colours. I always felt that you’re half way there in creating something truly beautiful just by what nature leaves. I love the urban appeal of the spray can too though, which is what I opted for with this piece.
How has your local creative community been affected this year?
Well the arts have certainly been hit hard so I know a lot of live performers who have really suffered. On the other side though, artists still have their tools and they most definitely have some material to respond to at the moment, so many are on fire.
Have you had to adapt your artistic practise at all amidst all these changes?
It’s been interesting performing online. It’s the only time I’ve performed where you’re looking at your own face. You suddenly realise you never looked how you imagined you did. Helps evaporate the ego somewhat! You also have to change it up though. It’s more like television acting but all live
What do you think is the best way people can ‘Spread A Little Love’ in this scary and confusing world?
As creatives, through our art. And our art needs to speak love, and loudly. That’s why I was so happy to be involved in this Super Weird project. We’ve been showing dystopia for too long, myself included. Now we’re in it. Time to imagine a better world.
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