YDF26 Artist 02 Q&A: Jennifer Luciano

What’s your background?

I am a multidisciplinary artist and a part of the African diaspora. My background is a mix of creative writing, performing, abstract art and direction. I hope to add many more things to the list in due course and grow confidently in my skills.

Who are your biggest influences? Artistically? Who inspired you to become an artist?

I don’t have any one particular inspiration for my career. I love the ways in which art provides an outlet for life’s events.

The ways in which I’ve been inspired have changed over the years- being a child and listening to elders tell stories and passing down cultural values, becoming a teen and assessing creatives across genres, to becoming an adult and seeking ways to contribute to the vast landscape that is art.

How have you developed your career? (From student to artist)

Attending seminars any way I could bolstered my development, as well as in-person workshops. I have come to realise that I feel more alive and recharged after in-person workshops as I get to be in a room with like-minded people, sometimes I walk away with additional contacts too and tips on how to nurture myself further. Online seminars are of great convenience as travel can be an issue for me, make use of these and take as many notes as you can- these chances don’t come by often. 

I like to challenge myself with writing prompts and tweaking my work every so often so it looks different to what came before it. 

What does your work as an artist aim to say?

I aim to be the best storyteller I can be by providing people with space(s) to be their most authentic selves.

How do you seek out opportunities for work and practice?

Checking the Arts Jobs UK website regularly as well as The Stage Jobs, has led me to some amazing opportunities. Although, I might not have been successful in acquiring some of them, simply being able to apply meant something.  Facebook groups for creatives as well as Insta pages like ‘Happening in MCR’ provide an abundance of opportunities.

What’s your strongest memory of your childhood?

My 5th birthday party stands out the most. My mother had bought me a cute white dress that I still have, and matching shoes. She did my hair in playful twists with white hair accessories. I had a few friends there and their families. Ma even managed to get an Angolan radio to give me a shoutout and wish me a happy birthday. It was a very good day, evening and night. My mum always outdoes herself with birthday parties.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

“Don’t go quietly”. It can be hard to have your voice heard sometimes but going into default silence makes it worse because then, you’re letting yourself down. Be your own advocate. “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair”~ Shirley Chisolm. Or better yet, build your own table.

What advice would you give to a young artist beginning their journey to becoming an artist?

These things take time. Trust yourself and hold yourself accountable. If you know you aren’t doing much to put yourself out there, change that. If you know that you are hiding from something that could be huge and just what you need to get a career boost, MAKE A MOVE. Get your cv in, follow pages, attend events and build up your circle. But above all, show yourself some grace, doing all you can doesn’t mean instant results.

Quick Fire questions…

Collaborate or work alone?	Depends on the project
Plan ahead or improvise?	Both, one needs to be able to do both.
Inside or Outside?	Again, it all depends on the weather and the task.
Laugh or Cry?	I’d rather cry whilst laughing.
Morning or Evening?	Evening.
Football or Rugby or Cricket?	Rugby all the way.
Ed Sheeran or Liam Gallagher?	Neither.