Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brian Dickson Jr.. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Brian , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My resilience is as strong as it is today because of how many times I overcame hardships in the past. I used to be embarrassed by some of the trials I suffered through growing up, but today I am thankful. Without the struggles, I would have never had the chance to exercise resilience. You have to fall before you can learn how to get back up. I grew up in Stop-6, (a predominantly Black and Brown neighborhood in Fort Worth), and my family struggled financially, spiritually, and emotionally. I have walked to school with holes in my shoes, stood in line at food banks, worn hand-me-down clothes, slept in the dark, went without food, and more. Throughout middle and high school, I helped my parents pay bills and buy groceries with the money I won from art competitions at school. Though things were bad at home I thrived in every other room I walked in. Amongst many other scholarships, I won a full-ride scholarship to TCU and experienced a fruitful collegiate career. Despite each difficulty, I continued to press through and chase my dreams. My faith in God also contributes to my resilience; it keeps my heart from hardening and becoming pessimistic. I prayed, cried, and fought my way through everything that statistically should have left me broken. As a result of what I survived through, I’m equipped to win.
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?
I grew up in Stop 6, and am a product of FWISD. I saw the lack of representation in the art room. We hardly learned about artist who looked like me. In my community, dreaming of being a professional artist was against the norm and seemed radical, and unattainable. As an aspiring Black artist, I want to show other young Black artists from similar communities, that there is space for us in the art world. That our stories matter, and we don’t have to hide or assimilate. I am passionate about dismantling racism, building community, and advocating for self love. At Kinfolk House I am intentional with helping develop intimate programs that are centered around racial healing, and also educational programs that exposes the local community to artist, culture, and narratives that are normally overlooked, silenced, or erased.
The following text is my artist statement for the current body of work I am working on: “Since the founding of the United States, fear has been a weapon used to tyrannize and control Black people. My work reveals the spiritual warfare Black Americans endure after rejecting indoctrination and fear. I create mixed-media portraits that portray figures in surreal environments. I use the contrast of vivid colors and dark themes to invite viewers to engage with controversial subject matter that they would regularly avoid. I often paint myself, my family, and my friends to share my connection to the fight to remain whole amid systemic oppression. My paintings permit Black people to leave the shackles of fear and live boldly despite our dark past and uncertain future.”
Right now I am excited to prepare for a group exhibition I have coming up in September. I was nominated to be a part of the 10th Rising Star Exhibition located in the Oak Cliff Society of Fine Arts at Turner House. I am also excited to begin applying for exhibitions for the upcoming year.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
One area of knowledge that was most impactful to my journey was given to me during my tenth grade year in high school. I had a business and marketing teacher named Latisha Ware, and daily at the end of each class we recited a mission, “Achieve Greatness”. Ms. Ware was dedicated to reminding each student how great they were, and how they held the power to create a better reality. Before Ms. Ware, I was not sure of the greatness that lived within, she helped me tap into it, and helped me begin walking in confidence and self-awareness. A key quality that has helped me through my journey is humility. Being humble is very important, I am committed to always expressing gratitude, and asking for help. Humility is needed in order to establish strong relationships and humility fuels collaboration. Lastly, a skill that has been impactful in my journey is actively listening. Taking the time to slow down, pay attention and listen to people has helped me be a better friend, family member, and servant. Actively listening has helped me build stronger relationships, and build community.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
In the past 12 months, I have grown tremendously in self love. Insecurities are something we all juggle, but some of us allow our insecurities to control our every move. My identity used to be rooted in what people thought of me and based on societal norms. Learning to love myself freed me from people’s opinions and the bondage of self hate. The more I learn how to encourage and love myself, the more I am able to confidently live out my dreams.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian.k.dickson/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brian.g.dickson
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/briankdickson
Image Credits
TheMarchives Cristian ArgueSoto
