Meet Carla Hamilton

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Carla Hamilton. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Carla below.

Carla, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I find purpose through my creative talents by using art as a platform to shed light on pressing social realities, advocate for change, and address important social issues such as systemic oppression and white supremacy. Through my art installations, I create immersive environments that highlight the struggles faced by marginalized communities, particularly BIPOC individuals, in today’s society. By tackling difficult topics and creating spaces for community engagement and dialogue, it showcases my dedication to art as a powerful tool for social justice and activism.

Despite facing adversity and racist attacks on my work, I remain committed to addressing societal challenges and providing a platform for marginalized voices. My installations serve as a backdrop for social justice gatherings and events, offering a space for meaningful conversations and opportunities for reflection on issues of inequality and discrimination in society.

Overall, through my creative endeavors and art projects, I find purpose in promoting awareness, encouraging dialogue, and advocating for positive social change. Her commitment to addressing complex issues and amplifying marginalized voices demonstrates her belief in the transformative power of art as a catalyst for social justice and societal progress.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am the Lead Gardener at the Giving Garden in Duluth , Mn. Yes, a black female Lead Gardener. As long as I can remember, my mother always had houseplants. When we moved to the country she began to garden. She was inspired by her grandmother, whoalways grew a kitchen garden that consisted of herbs, chives, and other plants.
We were lucky to have a small greenhouse attached to our house which allowed us room to plant seedlings. I enjoyed doing it and found it relaxing. We grew a patch of asparagus which I loved eating raw! I loved the fresh tomatoes and would pick them and eat them right in the garden. One year we grew okra and I was impressed by the flowers. All of this inspired me to become a serious gardener. I really enjoy watching the process of Mother Nature.

My appreciation for gardening and nature, along with your awareness of social issues and commitment to honor the contributions of marginalized communities, reflect a holistic view of interconnectedness and a desire to create a better world for all. My journey as a gardener holds the potential to not only nourish my spirit and body but also to inspire positive change and growth in my community and beyond. I love feeding folks !

Art – Currently I have a collaborative show with Moira Villiard. Waiting for Beds is a multimedia collaborative art project that delves into the tumultuous and vicious cycles of mental health crisis, public health and the healthcare and social systems that are at odds in American society. Our art serves as a platform to raise awareness and start a conversation on these issues. This is a space to write about our artistic approach and methodology. We draw inspiration from personal experiences, academic research, and the current social and political landscape. Our art is a blend of different mediums including painting, sculpture, and digital art. We aim to create a visceral experience for our audience that provokes introspection and reflection.

’m an African American, multidisciplinary artist generally known for my socially charged collage layered paintings. Over the course of my lifetime, I’ve successfully found my voice as both an individual and artist in several communities, including among women of color, the LGBTQ+ community, persons with invisible disabilities, and persons in recovery just to name a few. At this point in my career, I’d like to start focusing more on large multimedia installations that employ all of the viewers’ senses in order to create experiences that engage people deeply with my communities and their related topics.

My focus and motivation as a visual artist is to continually spark conversation and to present to my viewers my journey with mental illness. My work is an exploration of my personal experiences as a woman of color living and working within our current political climate. It deals with very serious topics, but I often approach them with humor, making them accessible and approachable to my audience. My work as an artist is incredibly meaningful and relevant in today’s world, as it explores themes of identity, race, and nationality. Challenging historical representations that perpetuate falsehoods and misconceptions is an important endeavor, as it helps shed light on the complexities of these issue. My goals as an artist are to be open to learning, self critical and learn from new or realized views of histories. Please reference my resume for exhibit history.

I’m hoping to launch a project called “Decolonizing My Imagination” that will challenge and reshape the dominant narratives and representations in society, particularly those influenced by colonialism and imperialism. I will use this exhibit as a means of reclaiming and decolonize not only my physical spaces but also the mental/imaginative spaces, through a process of questioning and critiquing Eurocentric/colonial narratives that have historically shaped fields of history, literature, art, and education. My work will explore the biases and distortions inherent in these narratives. Decolonizing the Imagination acknowledges that colonialism’s effects continue to shape contemporary society. Each piece will feature written didactics describing underlying themes, including my personal connection to the people in the portraits and aspects of the research I come up with. As an example of subject matter, color photography existed during the Civil Rights era, but American history curriculums use black and white images to reinforce a sense of distance between contemporary times and the injustice of the past.

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?

Continuous learning: One of the most impactful qualities I have is a willingness to continuously learn and adapt. Stay curious, seek out new information, and be open to expanding my knowledge in various areas. This helps me stay relevant and adaptable in a constantly changing world.

Resilience: Building resilience is crucial for navigating my many challenges and setbacks along my journey. Developing the ability to bounce back from failures, rejection, and obstacles. This helps me stay focused and motivated despite difficulties.
I practice self-care, cultivate a growth mindset, and surround myself with a supportive network. Learn from your failures, view obstacles as opportunities for growth, and maintain a positive attitude.

Communication skills: Effective communication is essential for building relationships, fostering collaboration, and achieving success in any field. You have to develop strong communication skills, both verbal and written, to clearly convey ideas, collaborate with others, and build a strong professional networks.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My friends have provided a strong emotional support system, offering a listening ear, empathy, and understanding during times of great stress, sadness, or challenges. They have helped me navigate difficult situations, offer perspective, and provide comfort and encouragement when needed. My ”Liquid family ” has been just as important as my birth family. And of course my courageous, kind and talented son Emanuel ! I also have a great relationship with my doctor and therapists.

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