How are you staying creative?

It was extremely hard for me to stay creative when the quarantine first started because I lacked motivation, but the more time has passed, the more I’ve been able to find inspiration and start feeling like a human again. I think watching the ways that other people have creatively adapted to this new life made it feel like it was possible for me too. I’ve also been stripped from so much that I’m used to, so in a time like this, my art has become one of my priorities.
 

What revelations or realizations have you had about yourself or your life during this time? 

Isolation has absolutely encouraged self-reflection for me. I was so used to always being on the move and having to get something done before all of this that the first week of staying inside I didn’t necessarily know how to navigate the feeling of just being with my thoughts. Because of this, I’ve gained an interest in the practice of mindfulness, something I never tried to make time for prior to quarantine. I think I’m definitely going to come out of this stronger and more self aware.
 

Tell us about art (books, movies, music, etc.) that you have discovered or revisited during this time.

I’ve been revisiting a lot of childhood classics. My sister and I watched ATL, Love Don’t Cost A Thing, and Roll Bounce over the last two weeks and that’s been a really fun tool of escapism for us. My friends and I also regularly use Netflix Party to watch movies together. Sometimes we watch bad ones on purpose and that’s equally as entertaining and fun. I’ve started reading Art On My Mind by bell hooks as well.
 

Is there a particular favorite piece of work you like to reference during difficult moments, such as this one?

I think Solange’s album A Seat at the Table has always been something I turn to in the midst of any turbulent time. Regardless of the situation it always makes me feel like everything is going to be ok. Also, the song and music video for ‘stay sane’ by pink siifu is incredibly therapeutic for me.
 

What has been inspiring you lately?

Something that’s been inspiring me is the way that people have been showing up the last few weeks for the black people who have died at the hands of police brutality. I’ve noticed a rise in non-black people taking initiative and re-educating themselves on the ways in which America has relied on and excused white supremacist practices. This has made me feel a lot more visible and feel a little less hopeless about the future of this country. In addition, Black art has always and will always be an inspiring force for me, regardless of the circumstances.
 

What are some silver linings that you've encountered during this time?

I’ve picked up a couple of new habits. I started doing yoga. I learned how to make cold brew and have been making myself some fire iced coffee the last two weeks. I also barely used to cook and since quarantine I’ve experimented with a couple of vegan recipes for my family. I’ve just enjoyed hanging out with my family more.
 

What routines have kept you grounded?

Creating has absolutely kept me grounded. Even though it’s a source of escapism for me, it reminds me that I’m still able to do things that make me feel like myself.
 

What changes do you hope are in store for the post-quarantine world?

I can’t even imagine what it’s going to look like but I hope we’re all more sensitive towards one another. I hope healthcare becomes more accessible after this, that celebrity culture ultimately dies, and that there is a significant amount of reform in regards to the way the system treats black people. 

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This interview is part of a series of conversations with artists discussing their experiences during quarantine. 

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Tina Tona is a 19-year-old multi-medium Rwandese/Ugandan artist from the DMV. They specialize in film photography and collage art, and use their work to highlight the nuances of Blackness and femininity. They are deeply inspired by black artists such as Solange and Andre 3000, and hope that one day their work can be used as a tool to engage with Afro-futurism the way theirs is. 

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Victoria Campa grew up in Madrid, Spain, and has traveled around the world with her camera. She mostly lenses women in quiet moments within their environments, and she is interested in exploring the passage of time, strength in vulnerability, and inner lives through stories. She writes a bi-weekly newsletter about art, film, and writing called things to look at. You can explore her work at www.victoriacampa.com