CHamoru artist Gisela McDaniel was named in Forbes Magazine’s 2024 “30 Under 30” list for her work — much of which is inspired by her cultural values and lived experience. “This was a big way of communicating for me — one of my first languages where I could express myself and create worlds.”The young artist loved drawing, painting, and ripping up old magazines to create collages. “I’ve been recording a lot of the wisdoms about how to stay safe in this world,” McDaniel said. Sometimes the world doesn’t deserve our stories, the painting is ultimately for our community.”Uniquely CHamoru in the art worldAs a CHamoru artist, McDaniel feels a personal responsibility to share Guam’s issues on a global scale with care and reverence. “I think people from Guam’s perspective, no matter who you are or where you’re from, is important.”In McDaniel’s experience, there aren’t many people from Pacific Islander backgrounds in the art world.

Source: Forbes January 22, 2024 07:11 UTC