Maria Epp on The Patchwork Principle

“It has all been done before”. I would have to strongly disagree with this sentiment (Which I know you aren’t promoting). I feel like the art we desperately need is the everyday, the mundane, the struggle, the survival of those who are too busy and too hurting to make art. Those who have no money, no nice things. Those who have too many children and no help. Those who are in prison, on the hospital bed, or making another raunchy video to help pay for childcare. The “art” we need is truth-telling from the under privileged. The ones dismissed and erased. I feel like we will never get to a point in our society of “enough” art. We will only keep trying to allow those with something to say, the freedom to say it. I have so much privilege to have time to think…just coming out of 16 yrs of full-time child care. The fact that I can even sit here and respond is a huge ass luxury. It feels daunting to have time. Which problem within myself and outside myself should I look at? Which area of suffering do I have time for? I feel frantic!