#BGFCreativeFund — Rochelle Fullarton
#BGFCreativefund is a grant programme supporting Black women and non-binary UK based creatives to encourage the development of creative ideas by supporting the continuation of projects and concepts.
Rochelle Fullarton is a Bajan artist and founder of RochelleCreative; a creative studio specialising in minimalist abstract design, oil paintings and illustration, rooted in the free expression of black women, nature and self-care. She shares with us her journey through self-acceptance.
Can you tell us about your project?
The project is called ‘My Sister’s Keeper’. It’s an exploration of self-acceptance through the lens of sisterhood. I’ve been creating a series of paintings in response to this theme and also delivering a series of painting workshops to young girls, where we explore what sisterhood means to us and how that can be translated into paintings. I’ve also been teaching the basics of intuitive painting and how art can be used as therapy and as a way of practising mindfulness.
How has the grant-supported your work?
The grant was an incredible help as it allowed me to offer some of my workshops for free and I was also able to send out materials to the girls who did not have access to them. It allowed me to reach and connect with a lot more people from all kinds of backgrounds and also people who may not have had access to these workshops otherwise. So I’m super grateful for BGF and their support!
What impact would you like your project to have on the community?
This project aimed to create a sense of community and more safe spaces for young girls to express themselves through art and to show them how to practice it in their own time. I truly believe in the power of positive imagery and representation and so it was so enriching to be able to show young girls that they too are works of art and that they too can become artists if they choose.
What inspired you? Who are your main sources of inspiration?
I believe that the lack of representation within the arts industries is something that ultimately led me to create my current works. I studied Fine Art at multiple institutions over a number of years and during this time I was never given an artist of colour to research. For years I believed that people of colour either didn’t make art or that if they did, they couldn’t be successful; a belief that drove me to dedicate my works to uplifting black women and telling a different story to the ones we are told in school. I just wanted to create the kind of art that I would want in my own home or art that I could gift my friends, sisters and future daughters.
If you could give advice to other black women, what would you tell them?
I would tell them to chase their dreams and not look for acceptance or approval from anyone. Though it might be easier said than done, we need to start working towards creating our own spaces and using our own communities to create our own success and not relying on the mainstream to support our work. There is so so much power within the black community, we just need to learn how to utilise it. I honestly forget that the arts industries are so dominated by white men if I’m honest. And perhaps that sounds ignorant of me. But trust me, I am aware. It’s just that I’ve worked so hard to create my own lane and safe spaces, that I rarely come across people outside of this community. And it’s this mindset that has allowed me to create the space that I have, it’s because whenever I need something, I reach out to a black creative or black business. If I need resources or promotion, I reach out to a black organisation. If I need materials, I buy them from the Black business. I only collaborate with black artists and take on work that aligns with my ethos. I’m no longer looking for acceptance in a white and male-dominated industry. I’m taking up space and thriving within my own community. There is nothing more rewarding than letting go of the need for approval.
If you could go back 10 years and give yourself advice, what would it be?
Honestly, the same thing that I would tell other black women. Stop chasing approval and just focus on your dreams. I spent my teenage years completely distracted by trying to fit in. I often wonder where I would be now if I hadn’t wasted so much time and if I only knew how to practise self-love.
What’s next, what are your plans for the future?
Well, at the moment I’m working towards my first solo exhibition where I will exhibiting works from this project. Other than that I just want to keep creating and uplifting black women. For me, success comes in many forms. But the one I appreciate and aspire to most is being able to inspire others. The ultimate goal for me would be to own my own gallery where I would showcase artworks from black women and run a variety of courses and workshops dedicated to helping women and girls from marginalised backgrounds make a career for themselves within the creative industries. Also within this gallery, I would love to be able to provide affordable artist studios that again will allow young people to pursue a creative career without all the financial barriers that artists are often faced with. I measure success by the number of people that I have connected with and inspired and by the amount of change I can inspire within my community.
Insta: @RochelleCreative
Website: rochellecreative.co.uk
