Interview

Apr 15

Medina Roberts

Medina picked up a paintbrush at the age of eight and never put it down. Given Medina’s family history, it was a natural step for her. She recalls, “Painting was the way I drew close to my artist father. He and my mother lived in Germany, while I lived with my grandparents in former Yugoslavia (Bosnia and Herzegovina).” With her creativity, Medina found her way “home.” In fact, she says that throughout the years, her art has captured not only her pain but also the loves in her life. It has also expressed who she hopes to become. Medina’s work has been featured in shows and exhibits from the time she was in middle school in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Throughout her life, she has also belonged to various art associations and clubs. But for Medina, art serves most importantly as a platform for her life’s message. Her work, she notes, “appeals to the world for justice and mercy. She moved to USA -VA in 1999 and become a USA citizen in 2002. Currently, she is a member at Brush Stroke Gallery Fredericksburg, VA and the Gallery Underground in Arlington, VA. Crystal Framing Gallery in Arlington is showcasing her work (indefinitely). She is currently working on series CITY CENTER DC, 70 x 60 and 60x50.

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“I try to paint how I see things around me and how I feel about them. My artwork is infused with my hallmark passion, commitment to the welfare of others, and indefatigable pursuit of justice. My intent is to recognize and change the judgements and connotations we typically associate with words such as addict. My hope is that we will treat addiction in the same way we respond to other illness, such as a heart condition. Those who are suffering from addiction should feel that they can talk about it. My advocacy in the arena of art is coupled with my service as a volunteer with the Addiction and Public Policy Initiative at the O’Neill Institute of Georgetown University.”

What inspires you?

“Mental Health and Addiction I’m speaking out -through my work as We are not talking enough -not doing enough -not informing enough about addiction – and mental health in general. My intent is to help inform and change how we think about and how we use the word Addiction or Addict. And treat anyone with mental health illness. In each of my paintings, you can find the words written “Wish You Were Here”-Pink Floyd -song is about Syd Barrett, original front man and chief songwriter of the Floyd, who left the group in 1968 after his mental and physical health and reliability deteriorated thanks to heavy drug use. Why City Center DC as subject -reason is. Any time I felt sad, I would walk to the city center and just by walking through I become happier it is always so much fun to me to go there and get suppressed by different decorations they use in different seasons. So beautiful, so dreamy for me is a happy place. Everyone needs a happy place. My work focuses on mental health awareness, which directly correlates to the ADPP and continues to be a major issue throughout the US and the world. I continue to work closely with the Georgetown University, O'Neill Institute for Health, and Public Policy on Addiction team to get their message out. Nine out of 10 adults said they believed that there’s a mental health crisis in the US today. Asked to rate the severity of six specific mental health concerns, Americans put the opioid epidemic near the top, with more than two-thirds of people identifying it as a crisis rather than merely a problem. More than half identified mental health issues among children and teenagers as a crisis, as well as severe mental illness in adults.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“Thought-provoking and uplifting paintings. Any time I felt sad, I would walk there and would find joy in the uplifting design of the site and seasonal decorations. It is so dreamy and beautiful. For me it is a happy place—and everyone needs a happy place!”

How would you describe your work?

“Moving -strong, bold brush strokes and powerful. First, I create abstract work using acrylic paint than I paint cityscapes over the abstract painting. In each of my paintings, you can find words Wish You Were Here and ONE LOVE.”

Which artists influence you most?

“It’s so hard to pick one, so many had impact on me in different stages of my life at the age of 8. Oskar Kokoschka and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. At age 10, P J Pollock, his early paintings later his abstract work moved me - in different ways he opened doors. Be brave and just do it! Later, Cecily Brown,Geoge Baselitz, and today I tend to admire local artists David Carlson and Mas Paz.”

“Painting for me is healing an expression and telling the story. My pain, my loves, my vision for future.”

What is your creative process like?

“It’s very hard to explain. I feel -I do not plan -I have a mission and statement but I can't see the final project until I'm in process. For me, creating is living -it is meditation that takes all of me. I achieve, feel all of my emotions in the process of creating and giving. The energy I give to each of my paintings -it is very hard to explain. I know I gave it all when I have nothing left in my body to give. I need days to recover after completing each my paintings they are piece of me.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“We are a revolution- we have power to move - to make audience feel so our responsibility is to create the art that moves and create change for better our mission is to live a legacy through our art. So, let’s create, let’s unite and let’s love.”