Why do I make art ?

Broderick Turner
3 min readJul 21, 2024

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Someone asked me a few months ago, “why do you make art?”

I did not have a good answer.

I mumbled something about “self” or “clarity” or “peace.” A pure bs non-answer because I had not really investigated why I started creating so much over the last few years.

Then I watched a show about the Los Angeles Clippers and the Donald Sterling Affair — “Clipped”. It’s a fine show. Anything with Laurence Fishburne saying words is going to be at least fine.

But there is one scene that really resonated with me. Laurence Fishburne playing Doc Rivers (better than Doc Rivers could play Doc Rivers) is having a conversation with LeVar Burton playing LeVar Burton. It’s two actors at the top of their game. And LeVar as LeVar is explaining to Doc why he keeps his slave chains from the movie Roots (in which he starred as Kunte Kinte) over his mantle piece — his hearth.

“So, I keep my chains on the wall in the living room.”

“I want my guests to know,”

“While I am unquestionably their friend,”

“I am also absolutely filled with rage.”

(Laurence Fishburne face)

(My face)

And it hit me, as I watched (and rewatched) this scene, I am making art for LeVar Burton and all the LeVar Burtons.

I making art for everyone us who got to “make it,” but realize so deeply that the whole thing is rigged.

I am making art for the people that played the game, but hate the “game is the game.”

I am making art for the real niggas and the trailer park trash that ripped the hearts out their challenges, and still love they people.

I am making art as a reminder and a warning.

While I am unquestionably their friend, I am also absolutely filled with rage.

(The Moon, The Sun, and The HNIC) 2024 ©️ Broderick Turner, Acrylic, Spray Paint, sidewalk chalk, ballpoint pen, oops paint, hot sauce, hibiscus tea, and anger on press board.

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Broderick Turner
Broderick Turner

Written by Broderick Turner

Assistant Professor of Marketing @ The Pamplin College of Business, Virginia Tech

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