Transformation, Healing, and Belonging: Dazié Rustin Grego-Sykes and Derrick Miller-Handley on Queer and Black Representation in Art

2023-12-06

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This week I interview artists Dazié Rustin Grego-Sykes and Derrick Miller-Handley. They discuss the creation and impact of their performance piece, 'The Changer and the Changed', a performed memoir of Dazié’s lived experience, exploring issues of child sex abuse, addiction, and the experience of being Black, Queer, and HIV positive. Through this deeply personal piece, performed in a community space, Dazié and Derrick aimed to create an intimate shared experience, encompassing the transformation, complex conversations, and the delicate balance of addressing difficult topics. The duo, who form the art collective 'Bundle of Sticks', share how their long-term friendship forms the foundation of their collaborative process. They also highlight the importance of acknowledging and embracing personal histories, shaping experiences into art, and finding a sense of belonging.

00:12 Introduction to Art Heals All Wounds

00:47 Discovering Dazié Grego-Sykes and The Changer and The Changed

01:47 Experiencing The Changer and The Changed

02:19 Understanding the Impact of Art

04:19 Interview with Dazié Grego-Sykes and Derrick Miller-Handley

05:03 Introduction to the Art Collective Bundle of Sticks

07:01 The Creation and Transformation of The Changer and The Changed

15:13 The Role of Personal Journals in The Changer and The Changed

20:34 The Power of Mythology in Art

23:48 Creating a Tangible Environment

24:18 The Thin Line Between Performance and Reality

24:52 The Power of Trust and Friendship in Performance

25:21 The Real-Time Experience of Performance

26:10 The Transformational Power of Art

27:03 The Influence of Kehinde Wiley's Work

28:38 Creating New Spaces in Art

29:28 The Role of Afrofuturism in Art

32:06 The Importance of Ancestry and History

35:41 The Performers: A Deep Dive into Their Stories

38:40 The Concept of Belonging in Art

41:19 Connecting with the Audience

43:17 Where to Find More About the Artists and Their Work

44:11 Closing Remarks

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