Alexander Tamahn 09/16/2021

Visual artist Alex Tamahn shares personal stories of trauma, family dynamics, and the influence of his upbringing on his art. He talks about the role of artists to synthesize their experiences into art as well as the unique power of art to communicate social issues in ways that are engaging to audiences. Tamahn describes his involvement with Black Moon Collective, a cohort of Black artists in Tulsa aiming to create their own platforms in response to being excluded from historically white spaces. He discusses the challenges of tokenism and the pressure Black artists face to seize fleeting opportunities, while navigating expectations from non-Black funders and balancing authenticity in their work. He emphasizes the importance of staying true to his identity and art while confronting legacies of oppression, and the emotional toll and conditioning of having to constantly achieve and be successful. Tamahn reflects on his art as a reconciling of pain, beauty, and activism, challenging societal standards and advocating for Black voices.