Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ari Newman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Ari thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

I’m currently developing three ventures: The Artful Resistance, Revolutionístas, and Banned Art Collective. Each of these companies is a reflection of my path as an artist and activist, rooted deeply in feminism and social justice. My commitment to these causes has been shaped by my own experiences with censorship and marginalization within the mainstream art world. These initiatives are also my response to the increasing threats to human rights that I’ve witnessed in the United States, especially while living in Texas.

Each of these companies aims to address these issues from different angles: The Artful Resistance, my personal art practice, serves as a platform where personal experiences merge with political dialogue. In this space, I use art to challenge and question power structures. It’s a convergence of artistic expression and socio-political themes, allowing me to explore and bring attention to crucial issues like gender equality, LGBTQIA+ rights, racial justice, and the advocacy for the freedom of sexual expression. By highlighting these themes in my work, I aim to create a dialogue, open up spaces for discussion and reflection, and encourage others to see and think about these issues in new ways. Revolutionístas is a platform for raising awareness and mobilizing action around feminist and social justice causes. Banned Art Collective was formed as a haven for artists like myself, who found their work sidelined by mainstream art institutions.

While diverse in their focus and approach, each of these ventures is unified in their commitment to challenging oppressive systems and advocating for inclusivity and human rights. Each represents different facets of my identity as an artist and activist, contributing in their own way to the broader fight for justice and equality.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am an artist living Austin, Texas, though my journey began in Los Angeles. I’ve been doing art for over 16 years, predominantly focusing on oil painting, a medium that has become my signature mode of expression. My style is characterized by vibrant colors, heavy brush strokes, and a raw, unfiltered energy, allowing me to express my deepest convictions and passions through bold figurative pieces. My unique perspective and painting style enables me to bring complex themes to life, particularly those revolving around sexuality and social justice.

My entry into art wasn’t a clear-cut path. I grew up under the impression that art wasn’t a practical way to make a living. In college, my only brush with the arts was a graphic design course, which later came in handy during my stints at an influencer marketing startup and Time Inc. Originally, I had set my sights on law, pursuing degrees in political science and communication at UC Davis, driven by a desire to influence and contribute to the political process. However, an eye-opening internship with a congressional campaign quickly showed me a mismatch with the industry’s ethos, pivoting my career towards marketing. Despite this shift, the drive to enact change stayed with me, subtly weaving itself into my art and offering a distinctive perspective in my creative work.

It gave me the ability to reassess my career and embrace my true calling as an artist. The COVID-19 pandemic marked a pivotal moment for me. It gave me the ability to reassess my career and embrace my true calling as an artist. This transition was a leap into what I now consider an ‘independent study’ of art, exploring various mediums and subjects, leading to the establishment of The Artful Resistance, Revolutionístas, and Banned Art Collective. Each venture is a chapter in my story, a blend of my commitment to art and activism.

The Artful Resistance, my personal art practice, blends erotic art with political commentary. It’s a direct reflection of my belief in the power of art as a tool for societal transformation, challenging norms, and advocating for sexual pleasure as a human right.

Revolutionístas was born from a meeting with a fellow feminist at my studio. Our shared dedication to activism and intersectional equity, fueled by our diverse backgrounds — hers as a recent immigrant from Juarez and mine as an LA Jew who joined the mass exodus to Austin — inspired us to create a community focused on feminist and social justice issues. Revolutionístas is where activism meets art, mobilizing people around critical societal topics and facilitating community building through art, workshops, events, and education.

Banned Art Collective emerged from frustration with Austin’s art scene, which often does support artists who’s identity or work is deemed too subversive or explicit for traditional galleries. We established a platform for creative freedom with other local artists, supporting a community that embraces diverse and often marginalized artistic voices. This collective extends its support beyond artists, partnering with non-profits that provide free therapy to artists and nightlife entertainers and providing community support for sex workers.

What sets my work apart is the seamless integration of art with activism, particularly on subjects often considered taboo. My ventures are more than businesses; they are movements to foster societal understanding and inclusivity. I’m most proud of the community we’ve built in Austin, a collective of empathetic, compassionate individuals committed to transformative art.

My approach is unapologetic, exploring sexual pleasure as a political statement and empowering others to express themselves freely and authentically. Through my vibrant, expressive oil paintings and ventures, I aim to create spaces that challenge, educate, and inspire, working towards a more inclusive, understanding, and equitable society. With the help with the community, I aim to tackle pressing issues such as book bans, restricted sexual education, healthcare inequalities, and harsh immigration policies. My art challenges the dominance of white Christian nationalism and advocates for bodily autonomy and agency.

I want potential members, patrons, followers, and partners to understand that these brands are more than businesses. They are movements toward societal understanding and inclusivity. They are invitations to dialogue, challenges to the status quo, and celebrations of diversity.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The most significant lesson I had to unlearn was that business success is solely defined by profitability. My background in digital media marketing and sales had deeply ingrained this belief in me. However, my transition into art and activism marked a pivotal shift in my understanding. I realized that success isn’t just about financial gains, but also about the impact we have on society. This change in perspective came from my calling to contribute to a more inclusive, understanding, and equitable society.

I take pride in our commitment to a socialist business perspective. This approach means prioritizing community empowerment and societal change over mere profits. In establishing The Artful Resistance, Revolutionístas, and Banned Art Collective, our focus has been on creating movements that resonate with my core values and beliefs. These values stem from my experiences with censorship and marginalization, inspiring me to foster environments where belonging and critical thought thrive.

For instance, with Revolutionístas, we’re organizing a community art exhibition sponsored by the city of Austin for 2024. The event celebrates the radical notion that pleasure, in all its forms, is a fundamental human right. Our mission is to unite artists and art enthusiasts in exploring how our culture allows pleasure to be accessed by tiered privilege, and how we might collectively reshape this narrative.

My brands are more than businesses; they are catalysts for meaningful dialogue and change. They challenge conventional norms and demonstrate the power of art in driving societal change. I invite readers to join us in this movement, to engage, to question, and to transform society together.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

Austin’s rich art and grassroots activism scene led me to find incredible partners for my ventures. In Revolutionístas, my partnership took root during a group show, where I met a fellow feminist. After sharing the meaning behind my art, she expressed gratitude for its creation, highlighting a lack of art in Austin that confronts gender power dynamics and presents a healthy view of sexuality from a female perspective. Realizing we lacked peers equally passionate about intersectional feminism, we found an instant connection. United by our dedication to intersectional feminism and social justice, our bond quickly evolved into innovative business ideas and plans to start movements aimed at ending the oppression we both are determined to confront. Our diverse backgrounds and in-depth discussions about our lives and philosophies solidified a bond that transcends mere business collaboration; it’s a united front driven by a mutual desire for societal change.

The origin story of Banned Art Collective is very similar. I connected with three artists at various Austin events, each of us frustrated with how traditional art institutions overlooked our work, deeming it too daring or controversial. This shared experience forged a strong and resilient relationship among us, evolving from professional solidarity to a deep-seated friendship rooted in trust and care. Our collective stands as a powerful symbol of the strength found in shared struggles, dedicated to creating spaces for art that challenges and empowers underrepresented voices.

Both Revolutionístas and Banned Art Collective flourish because of these foundational partnerships. More than mere professional alliances, they’re relationships built on a profound comprehension of our shared values and goals. These connections have been crucial in steering us through the complex terrain of art and activism, allowing us to create work that challenges the status quo and drives significant social tranformation.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theartistari.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/the.artist.ari
• Other: www.theartfulari.com (Mural Business) The below brands are still in the start-up stage and will be live soon. www.instagram.com/we.are.revolutionistas www.revolutionistas.com www.instagram.com/bannedartcollective www.bannedart.co

Image Credits
The photos of me in black are by Joi Conti Photography, LLC.