We recently had the chance to connect with Marisa Mu and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Marisa, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity. Hands down. Because someone who lives a life of integrity will fundamentally have a good energy about them and intelligent people know that living with integrity, is the key to living a fulfilled and successful life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Marisa Mu and I am going into my 8th year as a full-time painter, living life on my own terms and fostering important socio-political movements within the art world through my platform, Tits & Co. As Founding Director, we are paving the way with bridging the gap between the under-representation of female and gender-non-conforming artists from all over the world.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
When I was a kid, I believed that if I was white then things would be easier for me – so I would try and make my eyes look bigger by getting my lashes done, or dying my hair blonde because having dark black hair was seen as boring and common.
Point is, I absolutely do not think this way at all anymore and I am grateful to be a queer woman of colour that has paved their own path and be able to make it this far because of WHAT I LOOK LIKE, WHO I AM AND WHAT I REPRESENT.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would say
‘You already knew when you were 4 that you wanted to become an artist someday. You knew when every hard card got dealt to you again and again, that you would become Somebody. You already know that you’ve got what it takes – you’ve got Angels in your corner and the matriarchs standing alongside you in every room you enter. You are going to get everything you have ever dreamt of and more – the skies the limit and then there are stars!’
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. Alot of close friends of mine have always flagged how authentic and myself I continue to be in public facing events and talks.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That Marisa Mu led from the front and never wavered on her mission for fostering representation, community and opportunity for historically marginalised peoples. And how her art made people feel seen and loved.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marisamu.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marisa.mu
Image Credits
Photography by Maysie Lecciones & Jess Brohier
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
