We were lucky to catch up with Michael Paul Britto recently and have shared our conversation below.

Michael Paul, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

I been told that a lot of my work is very loaded and confrontational. This is not my intention. I am just creating as a response to how I feel society perceives me, and the many challenges I / we face as people of color in the United States Of America. I was once told that I should create work that people would want to have in their home. I was also told once that my work is hard to curate because the imagery and messages conveyed. What I learned from these experiences is to be true to myself and my art, and not to change who I am for anybody.

Michael Paul, 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?

I’m not your average visual artist. My canvases aren’t just explosions of color and childlike forms; they’re vibrant dialogues about social inequality, poverty, and the distorted lens of media representation. My art isn’t passive; it’s a megaphone amplifying unheard voices, inviting viewers into a disarmingly simple world where complex issues take center stage.

But my commentary isn’t confined to traditional spaces. I spill it onto city streets, subway tunnels, and everyday life itself. My “Disseminate” project transformed Da Bronx’s Grand Concourse into an open-air gallery, featuring collages on wooden frames and laminations that stood as beacons of joy and community amidst the urban landscape.

My artistic activism extends beyond my own installations. I’m a passionate advocate for art education, believing that creativity is a potent tool for social change. I work with underserved communities, providing young people with the tools and inspiration to create their own narratives onto the world’s canvas.

I’m more than just an artist; I’m a cultural alchemist, transforming everyday challenges into a catalysts for conversation. My multidisciplinary art isn’t just eye candy; it’s a vibrant tapestry woven with hope, challenging us to see the world not as it is, but as it could be—a world where bold images and bold statements pave the way for a brighter, more just tomorrow.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Holding down a full-time teaching job while striving to maintain an active art practice presents a significant challenge. The demands of educating others often leave little time and energy for personal creative pursuits. It’s a constant balancing act, a tightrope walk between the responsibilities I have to my students and the commitment I’ve made to myself as an artist. I made a deliberate promise to ensure that I dedicate as much energy and focus to nurturing my own creative spirit as I do to nurturing the minds of those I teach. This isn’t always easy; in fact, it’s frequently exhausting, requiring me to carve out moments for my art amidst a demanding schedule. However, this dedication feels absolutely necessary for my sense of fulfillment. Being an artist isn’t just a hobby; it’s an integral part of who I am, and neglecting that aspect would leave me feeling incomplete. Therefore, despite the fatigue, I persist, driven by the need to create and the understanding that investing in my artistic self ultimately enriches all facets of my life.

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

Creating art serves as a vital form of therapy for me. It’s not just a pastime, but a fundamental way I process and navigate the complexities of being a male of color in the world today. When I’m grappling with internal struggles or external issues, the act of creation becomes a way to externalize those feelings and work through them. The chosen medium becomes a safe space to explore difficult emotions and ideas.

Beyond my personal processing, art also provides me with a powerful avenue to give voice to marginalized communities. It allows me to amplify perspectives that might otherwise be overlooked or silenced. Through visual narratives, I can draw attention to their experiences, challenges, and triumphs, fostering empathy and understanding.

Furthermore, art enables me to express intricate and often ineffable concepts. There are thoughts and feelings that words alone can struggle to capture. Through color, form, and texture, I can articulate these complexities, offering a different lens through which to understand them. It’s a way to communicate beyond the limitations of language, to connect with others on a deeper, more visceral level and perhaps even help explain the often unspoken realities of our world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brittofied.com
• Instagram: @brittofied
• Facebook: Michael Paul Britto
• Other: https://www.mixcloud.com/brittofied/
  https://www.tumblr.com/britto-fotowrk

  Michael Paul Britto

  
  https://www.bronxarts.org/programs/resource/artist-registry/Michael-Paul-Britto.html
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Paul_Britto
  https://www.studiomuseum.org/artists/michael-paul-britto

Image Credits

Michael Paul Britto, Johnny Ramos