Community Is Resistance
“Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.”
― Cesar A. Cruz
I've always been drawn to lino art- also known as lino print, lino printing, linoleum art, block art, or relief prints.
The mono-colors, sharp lines and primitive charm that defines lino art, also convey a coolness- almost other-worldly feel..(Hence the name of my shop) Whether intricate or simple, lino prints make bold and powerful statements and can compliment modern or traditional settings very nicely.
Lino art has been criticized for its simplicity and because art rarely follows rules, lino cut art pays little mind to boundaries-As do I.
As much as I LOVE lino art I REALLY dislike carving linoleum, well..my wrists dislike the carving. So I did what I know best, followed my own rules and improvised. I draw and color each design and print my designs using a printer instead of relief block/stamp printing. This helps me do what I love without taxing my wrists. All of my designs take time. A lot of love and intentionality go into every piece I make and because my drawing tools are easy to transport I enjoy the freedom of creating lino art almost anywhere.
My island roots (I'm a Trinidadian expat) and passion for social justice is reflected in my work. Art always speaks and I truly believe that artists have a responsibility to tell the truth. As one of my favorite American poets James Baldwin writes, “The role of the artist is exactly the same as the role of the lover. If I love you, I have to make you conscious of the things you don’t see.”
