I attended an online talk with Sarah Corbett, founder of Craftivist Collective
https://craftivist-collective.com/
The talk was hosted by Craft Festival.
-It did make me think about accessibility when I entered the talk as, with a lot of other talks there seemed to be a core group who did know each other.
-This brought up thoughts to how I made sure that all events/workshops were accessible to all, and especially new attendees felt very welcome.
-Notes are below..
-Sarahs Mother was a political leader in Liverpool, she worked strongly in social justice
-Osmosis of listening around systemic problems. Politics and religion were huge parts of the conversations as a child and Sarah was constantly around these and also part of the discussion.
-Sarah saw deeper problems that can sometimes be overlooked such as issues around shopping for the poorer of communities. If an individual didn't have a car to then use to buy shopping, it developed problems that they would then have to buy lighter options like Smash instead of Potatoes. Smash would also be a cheaper and longer lasting alternative, but would have an impact on health and in turn the inequalities poverty can have.
-She was quiet as a child and was nominated at 16 to be head girl at her school. She was wary of the role as she didn't want to be too loud or to do lots of speeches. She was voted into the role and managed to get lockers in corridors which was opposed in the past. Instead of making a petition she looked at the space with a caretaker and planned how they could do it without impact to space and H&S. This was one of Sarahs first big activism projects. The projects didn't involve banners posters etc and was much quieter, done in Sarahs own way.
-Studied religion and theology at uni and looked a lot into what is considered a modern sacred space?
-Could I be an activist if I'm an introvert?
-What is the problem to be solved, Sarah looked at Besty Greers work, but her work seemed personal, changing through affirmative personal statements and words. Not as explicitly seen as activism as Sarah wanted to do.
-Approach is to kind of go round the back to promote and show activism
-Started weekly projects but felt they were not getting any movement and a waste of resources.
-In a world that is shouting and noisy it brings a movement of reflection and quiet.
-Sarah was in activist groups and was worried about the enjoyment of the protest rather than the result. It was an excuse for some to throw things, others arguing with 'you're wrong you're rights' and sometimes just need the numbers for petitions without the conversations to the cause. No strategic plan to how/what will happen and how long that will take.
-Be more tortoise, slower more thoughtful strategic plans, rather than reactive protest. Lots of ego in activism, it doesn't help. With Craftivism craft is the tool to sell the story.
-Investment to gain relationship with MPs, company heads etc, takes time to make the craft object and give them that personalised, to them, objects.
-Have a link to the information. Add information/talk about how eg. the fashion industry can be part of the change instead of being negative towards them straight away
Images from Craftivist Collective video about what it is to be a Craftivist
Activism reminds Sarah of a Quote-
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
― Maya Angelou
-Often asked how I do it and make a living.
-Activists such as Ghandi, MLK did what they did without giving in to unethical big money projects to support them. They all had patrons
I asked...
How you include people that do not find themselves as creatives?
-There is no one formula,
some people may speak about cause,
Some may love craft,
Craft is a lot of just following instructions and craft is essentially the taskmaster not the tool
I emailed Sarah after the talk...
Hello,
I just wanted to write to you to thank you for such a lovely talk today at the Craft Festival. It was really helpful to hear your feelings about where your activism sits in the bigger picture and also how you make a living from this. I sometimes feel that talks I go to the projects just seem too ambitious or unobtainable as there is the mortage to pay and bills etc so thank you for sharing that side!
I'm currently studying for an MA in Design and I'm looking at activism in my local community trying to find my feet in terms of where I want to sit and what voices/issues to raise. It feels a little overwhelming at times in terms of what to speak about when there are so many issues. Also finding the niche so you don't feel lost within the many voices or offend anyone too.
Do you worry about these things too or did you when you first started? I wanted to ask in the talk but had already asked about creativity, thanks so much for answering that question, it was very helpful.
Wishing you a lovely Sunday evening,
Hannah Gawne
And she emailed back..
Hi Hannah :)
I think and hope you will find this article useful that I wrote: https://uk.lush.com/article/activist-whisperer
Plus these short pieces too will help you on your journey I hope: https://uk.lush.com/tag/activist-whisperer And dont forget my craftivist website and social media will helpfully help you on your journey too with us. Remember we learn from doing so have a go, see what works and doesn't and keep trying, changing, improving :) Don't let perfection be the enemy of the good. Honoured to be on this journey with you hunny xxx
I think I will print in very large letter the line..
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