“I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we too will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit.”

So stated John F. Kennedy, a strong supporter of the arts, on behalf of the National Cultural Center, which would come to bear his name in November 1962.

Art can thrust out a communication, a message. It can tell stories – both astounding and true – that put a human face on incidents. Art can transform shock into emotion and, through that emotion, inspire action. It can sooth a troubled spirit, awaken ones desires, and bring disparate peoples together.

Art can also raise awareness of important social issues. Michael Jackson is a timeless example. With his passing, he left a philanthropic legacy almost as large as his cultural one. As a master of showmanship, his song, “We Are the World”, which he co-wrote with Lionel Richie in 1985, helped combat famine in Africa and set a trend of social consciousness that was followed by other artist celebrities.

Using Art to Chronicle Meaningful World Events

A Leisa Collins Art Series: ART CHRONICLE OF WORLD EVENTS

On June 20, 2009 a violent and deadly incident occurred in Iran that outraged me and provided me an impetus to create a new series of paintings. I named the series Art Chronicle of World Events.

Iran’s pseudo-democratic national elections had taken place on June 12 and within hours it was clear that the democratic process was in name only and the existing oppressive leadership would not be stepping down.

As thousands of Iranians took to the streets in protest, a brutal government crackdown was launched in an attempt to put a choke hold on freedom of speech. Among the protesters was a 26 year old musician and former philosophy student, Neda Agha-Soltan. Suddenly, Neda was shot in the chest by a member of the pro-government Basij militia. The tragedy was captured on video, showing Neda’s last minutes of life, and her blood streaked face was the indelible image that flew around the world, heightening international outcry.

Below is my painting of Neda from my Art Chronicle of World Events series.

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In Support of Indigenous People

A Leisa Collins Art Series: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

Starting at the age of 17, I learned my craft as an artist by traveling and adventuring through the New Zealand countryside, painting the splendor surrounding me and selling my work to survive. It was the interaction with people on these travels that gave me my first view of social injustice. I became involved in the movement to restore land rights to New Zealand’s indigenous Maori people and depicted their struggles through a series of paintings.

A few years later I decided to devote my energies full time to social issues – a course which lead me to the four corners of the globe and introduced me to many diverse cultures and indigenous races. From the Aborigine of Australia to the Mayans of Central America, the Native American tribes of USA and Canada to the Roma people of Europe, I learned that a bond existed between them, brought about through generations of suffering and humiliation, through the confiscation of their lands, and the attempted destruction of their languages and cultural identities. I saw that in many cases, the trail back to self-respect and public recognition was sparked by a renaissance of their art. This was the case in my homeland of New Zealand, one of the happier examples of cultural restoration and acceptance around the planet.

The reasoning behind the title of this series is my desire to show what I have seen to be the road to cultural and artistic resurgence. Namely, recognition of the traditional values of the past, encased in the beauty of the natural environment and united by the strength of the human spirit. Youth of course plays an important role, being the hope of a better tomorrow.

Below are the first two paintings that I created for my Past, Present and Future Indigenous People series. The first is Mayan Girl and the second The Maori.

Click on the below images for my statements of inspiration on each painting and a brief history of these two wonderful races.

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Why I Support Art Education for Children

I’m often categorized as having no “formal art education”. However, this statement could be disputed. I experienced the joy of both learning and creating all forms of art throughout my elementary and secondary school education – in fact, some days I swear it was the only reason I showed up at all!

In the USA as of this writing, over 40% of elementary school children don’t have art teachers. With every state in the nation facing financial crisis and budget cuts, art is often one of the first items slashed. This means that the community – that’s you and me – must do more to ensure that ALL children are taught the skills of observing, thinking, imagining and creating.

For further information on my art and social change activities, click on the MEDIA button below. Media articles cover my Across the USA Tour from 2009, three months of Art in Action activities in New Zealand, and community projects carried out in Alexandria, Virginia.