Bede Whelan

@bedebecreating

Through my practice, I hope to explore underappreciated and underground aspects of society, exploring my relationship with the world around me, and bringing awareness to the often forgotten underbellies of our modern cities.

I have often felt like an outsider, struggling to find direction and connection in the world. The essence of art to me is introspection, and I believe that art is something that can change the consciousness of people. Through conscious art, I plan to represent my thoughts and experiences through my own language of creation, thereby creating a world which I can understand and present. Only once you become aware of your reality and the inhibitions you face, are you able to overcome these problems and have a happy and productive life. As Abiodun Oyewole puts it, ‘When you create from the anger, you begin to heal yourself’.

Art has helped me more than anything else, but I find a lot of the art world clashes with my moral beliefs. How can I have a functioning art practice while remaining authentic? I would love to have a career as an artist, but I don’t want to submit.

View the work: Building 16, Building 27, Rayner Hoff Project Space