Messages you can’t ignore: art as activism
Art has been a core aspect of Casper Abusharr’s identity, because he’s been “doing art since he could write.”
Around the age of 14, the New York City based Palestinian visual artist, tattooist, skater, musician, and social justice activist discovered art was an effective medium of self expression and activism. Being both trans and queer, his first forays into using art in this way was creating pieces that advocated for LGBTQ+ rights. He said the nationwide surge of Black Lives Matter protests in response to the killing of George Floyd in 2020, was what compelled him to become more politically aware.
The inspiration for his art ranges from British street artist Banksy to independent artists he follows on Instagram. To him, art is a powerful instrument to send a message.
“Art is a good way to get your point across… You can shove [art] into peoples’ face,” Abusharr said. “I generally try to make it clear you can’t ignore my shit… especially politically I’m going to make it loud and in your face.”
“Art is a particularly effective medium,” Abusharr said. “Unlike an essay, it takes less time from the viewer.” His instagram page showcases his art that is heavily centered around Palestinian identity.
Many of his pieces are portraits through which he is able to display his biggest artistic strength: capturing faces. Able to convey emotions through his brush and pen strokes so effectively, a viewer can feel the warmth radiating from the smiles, or the cold pain from the depictions of the ongoing violence that Palestinians face.
Abusharr works with a variety of mediums, not just paint. From screenprinting to graffiti, he is a multi-talented artist. Over the past year he has developed passion for a new artistic medium: tattooing. Tattooing has become a different outlet for him. After practicing on himself, he soon started tattooing for others.
“Having art on my body makes sense to me,” Abusharr said. “To see people trust [me enough] to have my work on their body is really cool.”
Like the rest of his art, most of the tattoos he does on himself are his own designs that are artistic representations of emotional and personal experiences.
He said he hopes to have a Palestine flash tattoo event to raise money. He would donate part of the profit to mutual aid efforts.
The U.S. is undoubtedly in a time of great turmoil. For people of oppressed identities this is not new. Abusharr said that being both Palestinian and queer can make it hard not to burn out, but even in these trying times, he continues to stand strong.
He said his message for others who make art is that even though “things are scarier than ever, it’s just as important to keep making art.”