"Social" Art

   Erica Meryl Thomas, a designer and organizer, is seeking attention and has made her mark within her artwork. These artworks involve a social change within our world and other communities around her; the philosophy behind her work involves social skills, as well as experimental and optimistic opportunities. Her philosophies that relate to these include her connection to students' context, as well as ethical, social and political perspectives. Overall, all of these aspects would help her art connect to the real world.

 

    One of her ideals further expanded through a point in time when she made a session with a local radio talk show called KBOO. This session involved talking to artists and asking them questions about their career in the future; these careers involve students that would eventually involve themselves into bigger projects that Erica has Involved herself within her work. KBOO and Erica also discussed with students how they as artists are able to bring their thoughts about the community; these students would also question whether their focus in their career would be political, social or practical. During her lecture, I have asked her how she managed to keep her principles consistent, and her response involves talking to students in a relatable level; That way, students will be able to relate and connect their relationship with Erica's, as well as their passion in their work. This way, students would have a good connection within themselves and Erica. Outside talking to student artists, there are some community projects that she has involved herself into towards some of her principles.

      One project she was involved in was called Make Your Mark, and it was a project that involved helping the youth in the Nafasi Art Center, in Salaam Tanzania. In the Nafasi art Center, Erica was able to educate her practices and principles towards students in Tanzania by sharing her art, as well as sharing their art that she would help them make. One instance that would relate to this involves the youth making symbols that represent themselves to the public audience. It was part of a workshop that Erica has hosted in order for the youth in Tanzania to flourish their interest in art and make an identity within themselves in the art world. Thus, this would help Erica bring her knowledge of design, and help bring their story to life socially and politically. The political and social aspects within her work involves making a difference and impacting the lives of struggling Tanzanian people, struggles that involve the underprivileged that struggle for wealth, food and housing.

    Another one of Erica's projects that emphasized her positive change, is a workbook for people who are in hospice on a daily basis; this workbook was made during the pandemic outbreak. This workbook was called Some Light at the End; this workbook involves the caretaker and patient to do activities that the workbook has given to the readers. These activities involved a lot of participatory work so it can be interactive for readers to enjoy. The interesting part I have seen in this booklet, is the pages that separate the chapters in each order, and in these chapter separators include marks that were recorded from dying leaves, like how fossils were recorded.