Artist statement | A Knot in the Net: Dreaming, Weaving, and Bearing the Burden
Once again, we find ourselves navigating times that feel both overwhelming and all too familiar. These unprecedented days weigh heavily on us, and I struggle to find the words to express what so many of us are feeling. Even now, writing this feels daunting, yet the emotions stirred by recent events are impossible to ignore.
Like many of you, I am deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of marginalized communities. I worry for myself, my partner, my loved ones, my chosen family, strangers and for the Earth Mother herself. To be apathetic or aloof in times like these is a cruel privilege, and I feel a deep anger when I linger on that thought for too long.
So much has already happened in the brief month of January, and I am unsettled in every way. Throughout my day, I find myself questioning if my feelings are an overreaction. However, the last few weeks have shown that they are anything but. Still, I refuse to succumb to fear. I will not make myself smaller or sugarcoat my art. I step into my work with even more rage, and even more love.
I’ve also been grappling with how we sustain systems of communication in moments like these. I find myself torn between disconnecting entirely from social media or remaining. For now, I’ve chosen to remain—not to conform, but to preserve the channels that keep us connected.
Truthfully, I am a painfully slow creator, and balancing art-making with the demands of life has always made it nearly impossible to keep up with the relentless algorithm. So, if you haven’t already, I invite you to subscribe to my newsletter. It’s infamously inconsistent, but it’s where I’ll focus all of my energy and updates moving forward.
As I reflect on my artist statement and light the candle on my altar, I call upon my grandmothers, grandfathers, and ancestors who have endured the end of the world many times before. They remind me that I am but a knot in a long, unbroken net of resistance. I am no more special, but I am here, actualized and activated in this moment. And because of that, it is my burden to dream and move my hands to reinforce the tautness of this net.
So I leave you with this: In the darkest moments, when your breath feels shallow and the inside of your being trembles, extend your hand outward, and you will find mine grasping for yours. Take hold of one another, breathe, and weave.
In solidarity,
Artist statement | Remembering Aaron Bushnell & Palestinian Lives Lost
By bravely dismantling the façade of so-called American ideals, Airman Aaron Bushnell’s extreme act of protest dealt a damning blow to U.S. imperialism and the military-industrial complex.
I honor Aaron for his integrity in recognizing the implications of his privilege and choosing to reject the colonial myth. Aaron understood the significance of solidarity and dutifully accepted.
As I write this, I am wounded, enraged, and even more distraught than I could have imagined after witnessing ongoing genocide in Palestine — a genocide in which you and I are also complicit. Self-immolation is an extreme act of protest that feels impossibly heavy and horrific to understand. However, after almost six months, I can comprehend why Aaron did what he did. Yet, I am sick with grief over the impossible and violent circumstances that forced him to take on such a burden.
As we mourn Aaron Bushnell and the more than 30,000 Palestinian lives lost to this ongoing genocide, let his courageous act of love echo within us, shocking us from complacency and moral apathy. Let our grief remind us that we are still alive and tethered to our souls. May his example inspire us to relentlessly reject colonial myths, stand with the oppressed, and lead with a heart ablaze. Let Aaron’s love for collective liberation root us all, grounding us firmly on our path forward.
May all the martyrs rest in the pulsating heartbeat of eternal vitality, and may we always hear and be moved by their rhythm.
In honor of Aaron Bushnell, Free Palestine. Free Palestine. Free Palestine. Free Palestine. Free Palestine. Free Palestine.
In mourning and solidarity,
Julysa
Aaron Bushnell
1998-2024
Thank You for an Incredible Experience at the 2022 CAM Perennial
That’s a wrap! I am truly honored to have been selected as one of this year’s Perennial Artists for Contemporary Art Month. It has been such a rewarding experience, and I am equally grateful to have shared space with the talented artists in Interior Realities, curated by Lauren Cross, PhD.
A heartfelt thank you to the entire team working passionately behind the scenes to ensure the success of this exhibit. It would not have been possible without each individual who contributed their time and energy.
Whether you were able to see my work in person, shared my posts, or simply showed me love, I appreciate you all so much!
2022 CAM Perennial Artists:
Juan Escobedo
Anthony Francis
Gabriel Garcia
Carly Garza
Gabi Magaly
Barbara Miñarro
Patty Ortiz
Alan Serna
Julysa Sosa
Alannah Tiller
Doerte Weber
Guillermina Zabala