DISMANTLING BARRIERS TO CREATIVITY.

Echoes of CreativityWritten by Ruby ConwayPhotography by Kiva Durkan

Jul 3

Multidiscplinary artist Giulia Frascino playing with text on clothing, Photography by Kiva Durkan

Artist Eleanor making a cake display table, Screengrab by Michael Rupp

Creative spaces can often feel exclusive and somewhat performative, as if you need to be a certain type of individual to exist and be welcomed there. Our notion of what it is to be a ‘creative’ or an ‘artist’ can at times feel pre-determined, constraining and impenetrable. This is an intimidating barrier to art at the best of times, and hardly the right environment to help us access our more fluid, authentic and creative selves. Underconfidence and fear can lead us to shy away from engaging with creative practices and spaces, the expectations around art often divorcing us from feeling understood and welcome within it.

At Echo, we are determined to unpick such social constructions. We think that art should be a force for understanding and conversation, certainly not a means of social comparison or exclusivity. We believe that creative spaces should nurture us and allow us to try new things and we welcome those willing to embrace a new way of thinking about creativity.

Textiles by Amir Shivat, Photography Kiva Durkan

It is important to recognise that we are not all raised in environments that value creativity, nor are we all given access to exploring different creative practices. Our creative skills are often undermined and put aside for any number of reasons, whether it be cultural, economic or otherwise. Creativity is a great privilege.

In rejection of gatekeepers to creative fields, we at Echo Studios are determined to unearth and nurture the creativity in everyone we cross paths with. We are committed to providing opportunities for creative confidence building and experimentation.

So what does make someone an artist? Who is allowed to be creative? And who should have access to creative spaces?

In our studio, it is anyone with an open mind and an open view to ways of expressing themself and their way of existing in the world. It is not the outcome and image that matters, but the process.