We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Joseph Wedge a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Joseph thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
The most important project I have worked on is without a doubt, the one I am working on currently…
Obscured Poetry presents: Visions and Voices.
Visions and Voices is an Artist Collective project designed to bring people of different backgrounds together and build networks of non-like minded individuals to explore the complex theme of duality. (And, maybe as importantly, the vast spectrum in between.)
Combining the “voice” of Obscured Poetry with visual imagery from select Visual Artists across a broad spectrum of mediums and backgrounds, we explore socially sensitive topics spanning from religion and politics, to gun control, to the vast spectrum between sensuality and sexuality, all with the goal of finding common ground and working towards solutions and inclusivity.
Focusing on collaboration and inclusion, this project is about finding those who share different opposing views, reaching outside of our selected circle and really coming together to creating win/win opportunities for everyone involved. We all benefit when we come together to leverage our combined skills. This project started from very humble and unexpected beginnings, but has since spawned 5 short films, (with 2 more short films currently in production) as well as our upcoming Visions & Voices Book release.
Those artists (or patrons) interested in more information regarding the project, or in submitting work(s) can do so at our website www.obscuredpoetry.com.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Originally from Spokane, WA. I spent a good portion of my younger life as a musician. Even back then, my work was highly focused on lyrics and story telling. I never imagined myself as a poet. Then… through an unusual series of events, I found myself in Canada doing that exact thing….performing as a poet.
It was the art medium, I never knew, I always wanted.
Performing and writing as a musician allowed me to hone a number of skills that have become essential for my transition into poetry. I was able to write more impactful and succinct prose and presenting by using speech patterns and cadence control to communicate moods. The work I did outside of my artistic life has also come into play. I called upon my logistical skills in audio engineering and video editing to give a digital life to my poems. So this project has been a unique opportunity to stretch and grow all of my skillsets.
Understanding the direct impact of sharing audiences and broadening market penetration, as well as the indirect skills and networking opportunities that grow from genuine artist collaboration, I’m finding the inclusion of experiences and perspectives are such a big focus of my work.
As a creator, the foundation of my work has always centered alot around the concept of duality. I have always found the inherent contradiction that the universe requires for balance fascinating. More specifically, the spectrum that lies between
two seemingly opposing points.
“Obscured Poetry presents: Visions and Voices” is a direct attempt to balance that duality and highlight all the opportunities in between.
This project started with no monetary support, but had an amazing amount creative collaboration. We have created 6 short films (with 2 more currently in production) and I’m currently working to complete an Artist Collaborative book to highlight The Arts and artists of a variety of backgrounds and genres using Obscured Poetry’s words as a thread that ties all the work together.
I’ve always believed great things can be accomplished when we change from a
binary mindset. Competing against one another for instance, compared to a broader mindset of working alongside one another. My hope is to have Visions and Voices be a celebration of the rare opportunity to connect and grow with other authentic and raw talent and through their inspiration continue to grow in my poetic journey.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I grew up in an nomadic, and fairly insecure childhood. As I have gotten older, I’ve been processing through my own portion of generational trauma. My father left when I was 1 leaving my mother with the challenge of being a single parent on a low income, while surviving a barrage of various abusive/toxic relationships. We lived in a primarily poorer Latino neighborhood. Being Caucasian, this meant that our family was actually the minority. As unusual as it sounds… I actually have plenty of memories being beat up when I was between 5-7 years old for no other reason than my skin color. To my mom’s credit, she did the best with what she had. She was very intentional about reminding us how loved we were. She was always good about giving us her time and attention. And as challenging as life got, one thing I never, ever saw her do… was give up. I have no doubt there were times that she wanted to. But as children, I can’t remember a time when she ever let us see her quit. She had this way of finding the light in the darkness.
Ironically enough, it’s these exact challenging times that I give credit to the success I have had in life. Moving around so much taught me how to connect with people fast, and how to adapt quickly. Coming from an impoverished community I learned the value of a simple life, and to appreciate what I have…and I learned a great deal about privilege at a very young age.
Those are all lessons I still carry with me today.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
I think artists have similar challenges to many neurodivergent individuals in that sense. From a young age we are taught how to be a part of and contribute to the system that we live in. Society. I think Artists, by nature, explore what is outside of that system. They explore ways in which to change that system. No matter what the genre, Artists and Creatives in particular, explore ideas and concepts that are more often than not… outside of the mainstream perspective. This comes with it’s own set of unique challenges. But to be an artist is not a choice of weakness.
I have always found artists to be individuals who almost have an intimate relationship with duality. Some of the most influential art, comes from very deep rooted trauma. Artists have to balance the ability to live and survive in mainstream society, while often spending much of their “free time” dedicated to their craft.
Whether it is the exploration that ultimately forms the Artist, or the Artists that ultimately forms the exploration, who’s to really say… I just know that artist’s are a different breed of individual. And, for many artist’s I have met… it’s not a choice. It’s something that is buried deep within their very beings.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.obscuredpoetry.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obscuredpoetry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ObscuredPoetry
- Youtube: @Obscuredpoetry
Image Credits
Photo Credits: Nicole Hicks-Wedge