POST 4 - CREATING MEANING

 Shayna Pullo - Post 4

Choose 2 quotes from the interview and write a short response for each quote. Then answer the two questions below.

"Understanding that in moments of pain there can also be glimmers of joy and tenderness, that beauty can persist—the nuance of being human."

LeSeur with this quote is basically saying that she learned that even when she was going through a lot of pain and grief, there were still small moments of love and softness in her life. I think she created this work because she didn’t want her art to only reflect trauma, but also the healing and tenderness that can exist at the same time.

"My work has taken on a form of truly moving through and from the body, and language for me is embedded in the body."

In this quote, LeSeur is explaining that her art doesn’t just come from ideas in her mind, but from her actual body and lived experiences. When she says language is embedded in the body, I think she means that emotions, memories, and even trauma are physically carried within us. Her work feels personal because it comes from what she has actually lived and felt, not just from thoughts in her head. It shows that for her, art is connected to her body and real experiences.

What inspired LeSeur? Compare what motivates you to create meaning in your work. 

LeSeur was inspired by her personal experiences, especially her rage and grief over the unjust murders of Black people in America. She was also inspired by how her body holds emotions, memory, and language. Instead of separating art from her life, she creates from what she has lived and felt. Her work comes from processing pain, questioning her purpose and trying to find space for joy and tenderness at the same time.

For me, what motivates me to create is different but also personal. At first, I made art as a way to disconnect from my sad thoughts and feelings. When I was painting or drawing, I could fully immerse myself in the process, and that focus allowed me to step away from everything else for a while. It helped me feel calm and in control. Later, I became inspired by different art styles often described as “clean,” “aesthetic,” “minimalist,” and “maximalist.” Seeing those different approaches pushed me to reflect on my own creative direction and develop a style that felt more personal and intentional. I didn’t just want to follow trends, I wanted to create something unique, recognizable, and original in my own way.