In Convo with Chelsey Luster
Chelsey Luster | Photo Cred via Artist Website
Social media can be both a curse and a blessing. It's a curse when you're constantly on it and comparing your lives to the ones on your timeline. Then, it can be a blessing. I've discovered so many amazing artists that I grew to admire and even become good friends with. It's so easy to connect with different creatives just by liking a photo or sending a message through DM. I first discovered Chelsey Luster online from her curating the exhibit, "19.5%: Woman in Power & Politics" I thought it was so cool a black woman was able to put together such an amazing show with other great womxn artists. Once I learned a little more about what she does, it amazed me to learn not only was she an amazing artist who created work for 11th Hour Theater Company for their production of " Children of Eden" but also curated other art shows such as the Icy Pop Up in 2019 and Bond of Knowing at Tyler School of Art at the Stella Elkins Gallery in 2018.
With this new information, I knew I had to connect with her. From there we were able to create a blossoming relationship admiring each other work and staying connected. When I decided to relaunch this site I already knew I wanted to interview Chelsey to dive in and get to know the person behind such amazing artwork and exhibits. Be sure to read the interview below to read about her inspirations, what motivates her to create her work and what is her creative process.
1.) Who are you and how would you describe the art that you do?
I am a visual artist, curator, and art educator from Baltimore MD that's working in Philly at the moment. I'm a black queer woman who does mostly two-dimensional work and focuses on the lack of protection black women have in this country through depictions of bathroom scenes.
2.) Who are your inspirations within the art world? How do they inspire you?
I'm almost always inspired by black women and black women who are making figurative work. I love the women who are making huge waves in the art world like Michalene Thomas, Jennifer Packer, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, and Jordan Casteel for the way that they depict their figures. I try to capture the confidence that they give each of their subjects in my work.
19.5%: Women in Power & Politics
3.) What ignited you to become an artist and curator? What was the moment or moments that inspired you to go down the path you have?
My mother is an artist; she always refers to herself as the "untrained artist" of the family but she can create beauty out of anything you give her. She inspired me to be a creative and innovative person from birth. She encouraged me to submit my art to local art shows and to create anything that I couldn't find in the store whether it be a Halloween costume or a notebook.
I started formally studying art at a magnet middle school that I attended and then went on to study it at a magnet high school. I was an intense child *laughs"*. I knew that I wanted to be an artist the entire time so I worked hard and always pushed myself to make better work. My teachers caught on to my drive pretty quickly and nourished it throughout my entire education. I'm grateful for them and for the foundation they created for me.
Marsh, 3.5' x 5', 2023
4.) What is your creative process? How do you start creating the work you do?
I start by sketching what's in my head or writing down a ton of notes. If I'm lucky I can imagine what an entire painting will look like before I even start my sketch, if not I'll start by developing the concept and doing some research to further develop it.
5.) During this time, many are using their art for change and to share their views on the movement 'Black Lives Matter" and police brutality. Do you believe all artists should use their platform to share their political views?
This is a tricky question. I am personally using my platform to share information and sell small works to raise money for Black Lives Matter Philly because that is what I want and need to do. I would encourage any artist who wants to do it to do it but if they don't, there are other ways to show up. It is also very exhausting to make work about what's going on as a black artist, especially as a queer black woman who doesn't see justice in the cases that hit home, so I understand that it is not healthy for many black artists' mental health to make this work. Making art about it helps me process but I understand that everyone doesn't have that same experience. I will admit that it is extremely unsettling to see artists who haven't said anything about what's going on, non-black artists in particular.
During this time I don't have much judgment for any black person and how they are choosing to process but when non-black people haven't said anything or shared resources it shows that they don't care about what's going on or the black community. If you're afraid to post that Black Lives Matter or that you're against police brutality then you don't care about us and have picked which side of history you want to be on. Even though police brutality and the unjust murders of countless black people is a reality that only gets highlighted when someone is bold enough to do it on camera, this is one of the largest civil rights movements so everyone should be doing something.
6.) Lastly, where do you see yourself in the next couple of years? What are the goals you hope to achieve?
As an artist, I want to continue to make, and see powerful work and show it across the country. As a curator, I want to curate impactful shows that give POC artists the space to display complex and dynamic work where it is appreciated and understood in its entirety. As an educator, I want to teach all children that they can be anything that they want to be and give them the tools and confidence to do so. I also want to connect with a ton of incredible creatives and lift each other.
You can follow Chelsey Luster on social media @chelseylusterart and support her work via her website https://www.chelseyluster.com/
