We recently connected with Patricia Cortado and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Patricia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights 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’ve ever worked on was the submission for the Nork! Photo Fest in 2023. I combined photos of my community into a narrative that addresses the themes of “Environmental Justice, Social Activism, and Portraits of Newark.”

I come from a four-square-mile neighborhood that houses the longest Superfund site in the Northeast region, surrounded by a fat rendering plant, a garbage incinerator, a sewage treatment facility, tons of chemicals and toxins loaded in numerous trucks a day, with planes flying over us every 3 minutes, and three power plants, with a fourth one looming as a threat. It required multiple iterations to craft a story that truly captures the magic of my people—the strong community members and leaders of Newark, NJ. I constantly grappled with the question of how to maintain a sense of “joy” amid the fight.

My project aimed to offer a perspective from Newark to the world, collecting truths about our struggles and our journey forward, which was not an easy task. It involved a focused effort to sift through ten years’ worth of pictures and documentation from Newark and Essex County. My goal was to ensure that the photos allowed the community to speak for themselves, rather than having me, as the photographer, speak for them.

I wanted to shed light on the issues that impact our daily lives. It was important to convey that the air we breathe and the contaminated land and water can be felt through the photographs while emphasizing that the resilience of my community is not for sale. The challenges we face are systemic and deeply rooted in an industry that prioritizes profit over people. As an artist, I feel a responsibility to ensure my community is represented in the best possible way, empowering them to continue their fight for liberation.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Here is my Bio:

Patricia is the Program and Communications Associate of the EJ Disrupt Design Fellowship. She is a queer Filipina immigrant from Newark, NJ. She is also a digital storyteller through Kapwang Tao Media LLC., with past collaborations with Ironbound Community Corporation (ICC) and the New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance (NJEJA). She has led different social media campaigns through the CompassionateNJ Coalition, #StopTheSludge Campaign, and Down Bottom Farms covering housing, environmental, social, and food justice initiatives. She is a community organizer and focuses her work doing community advocacy in Newark, NJ. Patricia has dedicated her life to art, and organizing with her community.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I wish I had reached out to my elders earlier in the journey rather than later. I believe I am nothing without their wisdom. I’m not just referring to those who are currently mentoring me and continue to inspire me despite the distance; I’m also talking about the ancestors who walk with me as well.

I often reflect on the rich history of Filipino culture, particularly the essence of “Kapwa” in community and ensuring that alignment is present. In light of the modern processes of being a creative, it is important for me to stay grounded in my roots and remain principled.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Artists reveal the truths of our existence in ways that other sectors cannot. Even with the advent of artificial intelligence, its very roots stem from the creativity of artists and the genuine expression of human hearts and hands. We cannot disconnect ourselves from this connection. There is an art to everything we do.

Art serves as a documentation tool, providing evidence and making our experiences tangible. You know the saying, “Pics or it didn’t happen”? I believe that reflects the role of artists. We must use our talents to express what our world is like at this moment, creating a reference point for future reflection.

While our work is rooted in the past and influenced by the history and culture of our communities, it also speaks to the present and can offer insights into how our future may unfold.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shlrzy09

Image Credits

Photos from the Nork! Photo Fest 2023 hosted by the Nork! Project.