Meet Harrison Linden

We recently connected with Harrison Linden and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Harrison, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I think this is a marvelous question to start off with. Its the thing that many of us here on Earth often think about. It’s the thing that leaves us with the most questions and the least amount of answers. Personally, for me, I think the whole idea of purpose is hard to define. To me, purpose is sort of fleeting. It’s an ephemeral feeling. Its a drive, and it’s prone to change. But, to give an actual answer, I believe creating things, whether that be through art, graphic design, or any other medium, is perhaps my main reason to be here. And it came to me all of a sudden many years ago. There was no special event involved, I just realized it. I can actually remember the moment I realized what I feel my purpose is. I was 16 at the time and I was sitting in the middle of an English class. At the time, my whole thought process was that I would become an engineer when I grew older. But, quite literally, in an instant, it completely dawned on me that I really should pursue my art. I had already spent so much time with it and it seemed so silly that this whole time I was staring at what drives me right in my face. And ever since then, this feeling hasn’t wavered at all. But I have also had moments where the drive to create wasn’t as strong or as important. So while I believe I have found what truly motivates to be here as a human, I still don’t really believe that is my only purpose. There likely will come something else that may or may not shape what I’m supposed to be here for.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Yes, my name is Harrison but online I go by Diasporium. I am a digital/physical artist specializing in mixed media collages, drawing, and photography and my work explores macabre themes and philosophical concepts of life on Earth. I currently showcase some of my art at local art events, and I sell prints of my work along with t-shirts that are custom-designed by me.

What I believe defines me as an artist and sets me apart from others is my diverse source of inspiration and the themes I choose. What I find truly captivating is artwork that is haunting yet profoundly moving, pieces that contain a rich atmosphere, as well as an intrinsic story with a sense of place. Goya and other classical artists especially appeal to me for how dark yet absurd their work is. There is something relatable in it, and I notice that my attachment to that art greatly informs my work across the board. But, despite that, I am still figuring out what truly defines me as an artist, and it’s fascinating how difficult it is to find a piece that incorporates all the above – darkness, atmosphere, story, and homage to the masters. The intersections between the past and present are amazing and worthy to be built upon, and that sets me apart. Because there is so much beauty and wisdom to be explored and appreciated within historical art and I feel people should take a closer work at what has come before.

Currently, I have an event going on in Chicago on the 29th. And I have a gallery opening event to attend on 2/8! For any other news you want to find out, check out my Instagram! That’s where I’m posting about upcoming events and news.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

First, studying to become a graphic designer has certainly altered the way I view and approach my work as an artist. When I was originally starting to make art, I really only made art for the sake of art. In other words, the art I created had no greater narrative or purpose beyond the simple act of creating and being creative. Art for the sake of art isn’t a bad process by any means but I knew that it was always holding me back from greater potential. Then I went to school for graphic design and it completely altered the way I look at communication. Graphic design is very unique because unlike art, where interpretation is allowed and even encouraged, there truly isn’t any room for interpretation in design. Graphic design is a medium that encourages people to be specific and to the point. It’s our whole job to make sure that we are communicating the right idea or message. Having to be so specific for several years with my work has really improved my intentionality as an artist. I make choices for very specific reasons and with specific features in mind. And that has also given me greater confidence in the ideas that I have. I trust in my vision and my ideas because I know exactly what I want to say and how I want to say it, even if people question it.

Secondly, I think going with the flow is critical for me as an artist. This is a quality that has been greatly beneficial to me because it has opened up the possibilities of what can become of my art. Something I hold very dear to my philosophy as an artist is to never force yourself into a certain look or niche. If it isn’t serving you, abandon it and open your heart to something else as an artist. It has kept my work refreshing throughout the years and has allowed me to see things I would have not previously thought about. So going with the flow is important for growth.

And lastly, perhaps the most important quality that has been important to me is self-confidence. As an artist, I would admit that I am my own worst critic. I don’t always feel the best about my work and sometimes praise is hard to receive unless I really like it. But something that is true, regardless of my feelings about each piece, is the confidence to believe in the merit of the work that I am creating. I know down to my core that what I am doing is right. I know exactly what I am trying to do and I know what I like and don’t like. In that regard, it has helped improve my work as I fully believe in what I am creating.

We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?

This is a terrific question. I think the answer is yes and no. On one hand, I do believe it is important to place the most amount of energy and time into the strengths that you are most talented at or most passionate about. I wouldn’t be a better visual artist if I was constantly diverting my attention between two different disciplines at the same time. But, the caveat is that only focusing on your strengths will leave you at a disadvantage and perhaps less capable of really growing. For example, I never did collaborations with other artists for years. I thought it was too big of a challenge to try and work with other people’s ideas. But recently I have started to branch out and begin collaborations with other artists whose work I enjoy or find similar to mine. It’s still a challenge, and the constant back and forth of ideas can be exhausting. However, it is making me a better artist. When I collaborate with others, I sometimes find myself inspired by ideas that I hadn’t thought about until I met that other person. And, truth be told, sometimes it’s just the simple pleasure of communicating and forging connections with other artists that matters more so than the actual act of creating itself. Overall, it has made me a lot more committed to actually understanding other artists. This is one example of how I have branched out into my weaknesses. I strongly believe that one must put their time into both improving what they are already good at as well as committing a minor effort into exploring their weaknesses.

Contact Info:

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