We recently connected with Lily Turek and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Lily 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 meaningful project I’ve been involved in (Arts curator, coordinator and workshop leader) is the Consent is Rad initiative. Although this project isn’t directly within the arts sector, it holds a special place in my heart due to its profound impact on me personally and its alignment with my values.
The Consent is Rad project began as a grassroots effort to foster open discussions about what consent focusing particularly on the skateboarding scene. Over time, it has expanded its reach to the arts sector and everyday life, aiming to create safer, more inclusive spaces for everyone. The project emphasises the importance of understanding and respecting consent, and it provides valuable resources and studies through both print and digital media.
Being a part of this project was deeply meaningful to me for several reasons. Growing up, I used creative self-expression as a crucial support system to process and understand my own experiences with abuse trauma. Engaging with the Consent is Rad community allowed me to participate in meaningful conversations about consent and safety—discussions that deeply resonated with my personal journey. For the first time, I felt seen, heard, and supported in a way that my story had not been acknowledged before.
The project’s mission to make all spaces safer for individuals aligns closely with my own values as an artist and advocate. Just as Consent is Rad strives to create environments where everyone’s experiences and boundaries are respected, I hope my work does the same. I want my art to be a space where viewers can feel seen and understood, mirroring the sense of validation and support that I experienced through this project.
The international expansion and the development of resources by Consent is Rad underscore its importance and effectiveness in promoting a culture of respect and safety. This project has not only contributed to my personal healing but has also inspired me to approach my own art with a similar sense of purpose and empathy. It’s a reminder of the powerful intersection between creative expression and social change, and it continues to inspire my work and advocacy.
Lily, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Lily, I am a 27 year old visionary artist who specialises in transforming traditional stained glass techniques into contemporary, eclectic art forms. My journey into this craft began as a personal exploration of self-expression and healing. Initially, art was my refuge—a therapeutic outlet that helped me navigate my experiences with autism, ADHD, and CPTSD. The beauty and release I found in creating art inspired me to share my work with a broader audience, with the hope of connecting with others who might resonate with these underlying themes of vulnerability and collective identity.
What sets my work apart is my commitment to authenticity and my passion for exploring new artistic possibilities. I approach each piece with a deep sense of wonder and curiosity, continuously evolving my practice. I specialise in glass and other shiny, transparent materials, breathing new life into found objects. This method allows me to create dynamic, wearable art and intricate displays that are deeply personal and resonant.
I am especially proud of my ability to maintain this passion and wonder without compromising on the authenticity of my practice. In an art world where inauthenticity can sometimes prevail, I strive to remain true to my artistic vision and the genuine joy I derive from creating. My work is a reflection of my ongoing journey and a testament to the power of art as a means of connection and self-discovery.
For those following along, it’s with great privilege and pleasure to show how my practice is ever-evolving. I am constantly seeking new heights and experiences that align with my personal and artistic growth. This continuous pursuit keeps my work fresh and exciting, and it enables me to foster deeper connections with those who engage with my art. In a world that increasingly values in-person connections and community strength, my art can offer a unique space for reflection, understanding, and shared experience.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
One story that highlights my resilience involves a pivotal moment from my early adulthood. Growing up, I faced various forms of abuse and neglect, which deeply affected me and could have easily led me down a destructive path. The patterns I developed and the trauma I experienced could have perpetuated a cycle of generational trauma, potentially undermining my sense of autonomy and well-being.
Despite these challenges, I found the courage to choose a different path. My Christian upbringing and my journey of self-discovery as a queer individual, coupled with conservative environments and educational settings, created a complex landscape. Additionally, being newly diagnosed as a neurodiverse individual added layers of difficulty. It felt as though I was never naturally destined to fit into the spaces that were expected of me. The journey often felt lonely, especially given my abandonment wounds and the realisation that following my passion for art would be a solitary endeavour.
One of the most defining moments of resilience occurred when I was offered a pathway to complete a doctorate in a small, conservative town. It was a path that promised financial stability and academic success, but it was also a path that felt suffocating and misaligned with my true self. Despite the appeal of this conventional route, I made the bold decision to turn it down. I packed up my life and moved 12 hours away to a city where I had no friends and no certainty about how my identity would be received.
This decision was not only challenging but also profoundly liberating. It allowed me to immerse myself fully in my art, which became a vital part of my healing and self-expression. The move marked a significant departure from a life constrained by external expectations and a step towards embracing my authentic self.
Reflecting on this experience, I realise how crucial that choice was for my well-being. It was a moment of defiance against a predetermined path and a step toward creating a life where I could thrive on my own terms. I often think about how different things might have been if I hadn’t made that leap. It was a testament to my resilience and commitment to forging a path that honoured my true self, even in the face of overwhelming challenges.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One of the most significant lessons I had to unlearn was the notion that prioritising my own needs and creative instincts was selfish. This lesson emerged from my experiences with CPTSD and my role in the disability sector, where I often found myself pouring so much energy into supporting others that I neglected my own personal and creative needs.
For a long time, I struggled with the blurred boundaries between supporting others and supporting myself. I felt that meeting my own needs was somehow selfish, which translated into how I approached my art. I began to rely heavily on external validation and feedback to shape my work, moving away from listening to my inner world and intuition. As a result, my art lost the initial emotions, feelings, and passion that fuelled my practice from the start.
Unlearning this pattern was challenging because following my own creative direction felt foreign and intimidating. It required me to step away from external influences and trust my own instincts and emotional responses. Over time, I discovered that embracing my creative intuition led to deeper, more authentic connections within my community. The more I allowed myself to follow my inner guidance, the more genuine and fulfilling my artistic encounters became.
This lesson has become a driving force in my approach to creative self-expression. It continually shapes how I engage with my art and my experiences, reminding me that staying true to my own voice and vision is essential for both personal fulfilment and meaningful connections with others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lilgrlart.bigcartel.com
- Instagram: @lil_grl_art
- Facebook: LILGRL
Image Credits
Katy Bedford