We were lucky to catch up with Diane Gatterdam recently and have shared our conversation below.

Diane, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I have done is my project called “21 Faces”

MY ARTISTIC CALLING WAS TO START CONVERSATIONS WITH THIS PROJECT AND INSPIRE PEOPLE TO ASK ‘WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?’ WHILE PAINTING, I DIDNT FOCUS ON THE CANVAS I FOCUS ON THE CAUSE.

AFTER UVALDE, I WAS COMPELLED TO CALL ATTENTION TO THE HEART WRENCHING REALITY THAT OUR CHILDREN SHOULDER A CONSTANT BURDEN OF FEAR. MOST OF THESE FACES WERE CREATED IN 2023,
A YEAR WITH 340 SCHOOL SHOOTINGS. BY PAINTING THESE FACES I SEEK TO REMIND PEOPLE OF THE IMPACT VIOLENCE HAS ON ALL OF OUR CHILDREN, THIS EPIDEMIC DOESN’T SEE COLOR, AGE OR GENDER. THE CURE FOR THE EPIDEMIC IS CLEAR, BUT ARE WE BRAVE ENOUGH TO MAKE THE NECESSARY CHANGES?

SINCE SANDY HOOK (2012) THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 1009 TERRIFYING EVENTS IN SCHOOLS. WHEN THESE TERRIFYING ACTS HAPPEN EVERYONE IS HORRIFIED, BUT IT FEELS LIKE A FEW NEWS CYCLES LATER, PEOPLE RETURN TO THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES. I REFUSE TO LET THIS ISSUE FADE.

AS AN ARTIST I MELD MY CREATIVITY WITH MY DEDICATION TO ACTIVISM. WHEN THESE FACES ARE PASTED IN THE STREETS OF NYC, THEY INCLUDE POTENTIALLY CONTROVERSIAL TEXT INTENDED TO MAKE PEOPLE THINK. I SHOW THEM IN THE GALLERY WITHOUT THE TEXT SO WE CAN FOCUS ON THE UNIVERSALITY OF THESE FACES AND
THE PROMISE OF THEIR FUTURE. OUR CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE. LETS CELEBRATE THEM.

Diane, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

As a street artist I go by the name – Individualactivist.

About the Artist:
Individualactivist leverages a successful career in International Store Design and Visual Merchandising. As a fine artist she communicates important messages boldly–melding creativity with dedication to activism.

“My physical art endeavors began when I created art for the streets in order to draw attention to the disappearance and detention of my friend, and hero, artist Ai Wei Wei.

I believe all artists are by nature activists. Many use their work to stand up and speak out, highlighting the state of the world through their art. “While I don’t think much about the art when painting, I focus on the cause I am trying to bring to light.”

Through the #AiWeiWeimissing campaign, individualactivist was able to send the work world wide to be pasted up in the streets and quickly learned that when an important cause needs attention, the streets are an excellent way to reach many people. Everyone is an #individualactivist we can all make this world a better place.

About me:
I am a fine artist that paints on large canvas in my studio. I then I photograph my work and paste it up on the street. My work is very activist driven. I have painted about many causes including: Black Lives Matter, Women’s Right, Human Rights, Ukraine, Covid, and many political issues. I am best know for a piece called “Stop Watching Reality TV and Think”

I have been in over 15 shows both here in NYC and other cities. I had my first sol show in April of 2024 at “One Art Space” in Tribeca NYC. Called- “21 Faces”. I am most proud of that project and at the show was able to partner with the organization called “Choose Love Movement” and Scarlett Lewis who’s son Jesse Lewis died at Sandy Hook.

I am currently working on my new project called – “Face To Face”. It’s a collaboration with 35 of the top street artists here in NYC. This project came from the idea that we are all so different, we have different styles and mediums. Some are graffiti artist, some are mural artists, some are painters and sticker artists but when we come together on the streets we form an unintentional collage that becomes a new and often better piece of art. I am painting half a face and handing the canvas off to another artist to paint the other half with no parameters.

I am also working on a number of commissions that are very different that my street art, I love taking on new projects
that stretch my creative mind.

In closing I believe that everyone is an Individualactivist and hope my work inspires many to take up a cause no matter how small or large.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being and artist/creative is the ability to look at things from a whole different perspective that most people don’t see in turn allowing me to create new and interesting work.

I look at the things that most people don’t real care about for example I think the inside of a beautiful crafted garment is much more interesting than the outside or the way you wear it The inside illustrates the hand of that tailor and the work and talent it took to produce it. There is inspiration in every stitch.

I also tend to fine inspiration from for very ordinary things such as the cement on the street, or garbage that has been tossed away. I worked with a photographer friend of my on a project called “Recycled Beauty” where the inspiration was garbage. This beautiful photos looked like Dutch paintings.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I would never describe someone as a “non creative”
Everyone is creative.

For people who think of themselves as not creative, they have put themselves in that box. I think the word creative itself is in a made-up box. Many are afraid to open that box and test it out. Everyone has the ability to create and we do it every day in many ways. Its our minds that tell us we cant create or what we do is not a creative act.

Pablo Picasso famously said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once they grow up.”

I believe that to be very true. As children we pick up a paint brush and paint there is no rule book that tells us “No you cant do that” or what to paint or what colors to use or that you are not good at it. We as kids just do it. That is the mind set of a creative no parameters no right or wrong. That apples to any creative process no matter what you choose to do. Free you mind and let go!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://individualactivist.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/individualactivist/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diane-gatterdam-57905b6/

Image Credits

The black and white imagine of myself was taken by Laurie Frankel