Page 9 - INTERACTIVE MAGAZINE

DESIGN N THINGS.
September/October. TOPIC
8 Willow Smith – but Mars is quick to stress that it was
'art hoe'
What even is this term?
by Johanne Daoust
oogle the term ‘art hoe’ and
you’re likely to be left feeling
a little confused. Aside from
Gan Urban Dictionary entry
describing “a hoe who is mysterious and
chill and like hippyish and good at art”,
there’s not much to suggest this is the
start of something big. Once you scroll
through the hashtags of Tumblr and Ins-
tagram though, it’s a whole other story.
Accompanying the ubiquitous #arthoe
or #artho labels are swathes upon
swathes of scribbled-on selfies and
eye-popping imagery. It turns out
‘Art Ho’ is a huge new art movement
– one specifically (though not exclusively)
made for POC artists, by POC artists.
“Usually there is a myriad of stereo-
types pertaining to POC. How black
people can’t be delicate, how latinx are
no good but for cleaning and having
a smart mouth...” says Mars, the
movement’s 15-year-old found-
er. “Non binary people of colour
don’t really have a stable plat-
form where they can prove and
show what they’re capable of
without being questioned about
their identity.”
With an aim to use artistic
expression as a weapon against
cultural stereotyping, the movement has
already garnered support from fellow teen
trail blazers Amandla Stenberg and
always meant to be as inclusive and positive as possible.
Although initally starting off as a movement to help
empower young black creatives, it’s now become much
bigger than that. Attracted by the slick, chromatic aes-
thetic, outcasts from across the world are now claiming
it as their own. “We made this movement inclusive for
everyone,” Mars explains. “The reason why we made
this is so everyone can participate in it and have a place
to call home.”
So how exactly did it suddenly become so popu-
lar? For one thing, the majority of posts that hold the
#arthoe hashtag are selfies, which aren’t exactly known
for changing the world. These particular ones, though,
come with an added twist. Whether it’s a few extra squig-
gles, a collage or a superimposed Van Gogh background,
these selfies have become a way for oppressed creative
voices to open up and express themselves; deconstruct-
ing damaging stereotypes and building themselves an
even bigger platform in the process. There are even
whispers that it could grow to be a sort of social-media
driven Harlem Renaissance – an empowering, nurtur-
ing movement driven by the power of creativity.
“I think it’s important to have something made by
us for us,” explains artist Camilla Dunn. “I feel like
it brings us together in a way, and since POC are the
target for the movement it just feels good to be able to
think like, ‘this is for me!!!’”
And, once you speak to Mars, it’s clear to see why
they’re been getting so much support. Not many
15-year-olds can speak so confidently about identity,
gender (they’re genderfluid FYI) and cultural appropri-
ation – and with the help of their Art Hoe army, they’re
determined to change that. “(Art Ho) gives POC a plat-
form to express their internalised struggles, which is a
problem we face everyday. We don’t have a voice in this
society. It’s usually subdued by our white counterparts,
and our anger is taken for granted – having this move-
ment gives people an insight into who we really are.”
| september/october