Friday Ephemera #5: Creativity in a Wild World
The world, as ever, feels precarious. But creativity is an ever soothing balm…
Future historians may say on that on Monday 20th January 2025, the post WWII global order that we were born into, ended. It has been ending in tiny increments for years. Yet on this date - as past US Presidents, tech billionaires and rebel Bishops gathered for the uncomfortable glorification of Trump - there was no denying that a new era has begun. A new era that puts the fear into many of us, opening the door to uncertainty.
It’s tempting to feel our creative acts are inconsequential against the backdrop of such grand global events. But let’s not forget: history is peppered with artists, writers, and creators who stood as beacons of hope during the wildest of times. Creativity has always been an act of rebellion, of joyful resistance.
Below is a collection of creators who made wondrous magic when their worlds were collapsing. Of course not all of us are staring down dictators or dodging bombs. Most of us are battling the quieter, messier crises of daily life: endless laundry, overdue bills, existential dread. Still, when we carve out time to create—however imperfectly—we’re doing something remarkable. We’re refusing to let the world grind us down. Every sketch, every sentence, every slightly wonky pot thrown on a wheel is a small but mighty rebellion. Together, we form an army of creative misfits, quietly stitching a little more beauty, light, and meaning into the wild tapestry of life. It is our role to create visions of and maps to guide us towards a beautiful future. That, my friends, is a battle worth fighting.
Creatives and Their Most Powerful Work
Charlotte Salomon – Life? or Theatre?
A German-Jewish artist who painted her life story in a series of over 700 gouache works while hiding from the Nazis. Her vivid, emotional paintings are a testament to the transformative power of art in the face of unimaginable suffering.
Zlata Filipović – Zlata’s Diary
Dubbed the “Anne Frank of Sarajevo,” Zlata documented her life as a child during the Bosnian War. Her diary is a stark reminder of the resilience of young voices and the necessity of bearing witness through words.
Rainer Maria Rilke – Letters to a Young Poet
Rilke’s lyrical letters provide guidance on creativity, solitude, and finding meaning in life. His work is a love letter to those struggling to create in the midst of uncertainty.
Shamsia Hassani – Dream Graffiti Series
An Afghan graffiti artist whose vibrant murals transform the streets of Kabul. Shamsia’s work often depicts women in flowing burqas, asserting their presence and strength in a society that seeks to erase them.
Shamsia Hassani
Ai Weiwei – Sunflower Seeds
The Chinese artist filled the Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall with 100 million hand-painted porcelain sunflower seeds. Each seed is unique, yet part of a collective, reflecting themes of individuality and mass culture.
Shirin Neshat – Women of Allah
This Iranian artist explores themes of gender, identity, and exile through haunting black-and-white portraits. Her work is a quiet, powerful rebellion against societal norms.
Audre Lorde – Sister Outsider
A poet and essayist, Lorde used her words to champion intersectionality and fight for social justice. Her writing is a call to arms for creatives to use their work as a tool for change.
Octavia E. Butler – Parable of the Sower
In this eerily prophetic novel, Butler imagines a dystopian future that feels too close for comfort. Yet, at its core, the story is one of hope and transformation through creativity and resilience.
Cocktail of the Week: The Creator’s Courage
A comforting, spicy twist on the classic hot toddy, perfect for fueling your creative rebellion on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
• 2 oz bourbon or dark rum
• 1 oz ginger syrup (recipe below)
• 1 oz lemon juice
• 6 oz hot water
• Optional: a dash of cinnamon or a star anise for garnish
Ginger Syrup Recipe
1. Combine 1/2 cup sliced fresh ginger, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan.
2. Simmer on low heat for 10–15 minutes until fragrant.
3. Strain and cool.
Instructions
1. In a mug, combine the bourbon or rum, ginger syrup, and lemon juice.
2. Top with hot water and stir gently.
3. Garnish with a slice of lemon, a cinnamon stick, or star anise.
4. Sip slowly and let the warmth ignite your creativity.
This golden elixir is more than just a drink—it’s a gentle nudge to brave the wilds of your creative journey.
Creative Exercise: Write a Love Letter to the Future
This week, let’s channel our creativity into hope:
1. Imagine a world where your creative work has made an impact, no matter how small.
2. Write a letter to that future, describing the joy, connection, or meaning your art has brought to others.
3. Let the exercise remind you of why you create—and what a gift your creativity is to the world.
Observation
This week, look for tiny rebellions in your surroundings: graffiti on a dull grey wall, a child’s drawing taped to a shop window, or a neighbor planting flowers in a crack of pavement. These acts are creativity saying, “I’m still here.”
Quote of the Week
“What you create doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be yours.”
Hold onto your creativity, friends. In this wild world, it’s both a life raft and a compass. It’s not frivolous—it’s essential work! Let’s keep creating, keep dancing, and keep offering the light.