I was first introduced to the work of Shantell Martin by my friend, Raven, in early 2015. At the time I was still working as an accountant, living in Northern Virginia and slowly beginning to explore my creativity. She sent me a couple of Martin’s “Are You You” stickers, together with some art supplies - a sort of art care package. I was immediately drawn to the 4”x3” sticker, with its white text on black background, asking me boldly if I was who I was.

It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that that question transformed my life in a tremendous way. I began to use it daily as a way to gain more self awareness and to inquire whether I was living authentically. Fast forward to August of that year: I made a solo trip to Brooklyn and my Airbnb happened to be across the street from a restaurant called Saraghina. I had no idea Martin had been commissioned by the owner of the restaurant in 2013 to use the exterior wall as her canvas, so I was pleasantly surprised when I got out of the Uber and saw her work IRL.

Since then, I’ve followed her journey and continue to be amazed at her level of creative output. She is a master collaborator, having worked alongside an impressive lineup of artists and brands such as Kendrick Lamar, Nike, Puma and most recently, the New York City Ballet in January of this year. Despite her success, what I find most inspiring is her humility and artistic integrity. In a recent Hypebeast profile feature, which highlighted her collaborations and career to date, Martin spoke about the importance of artists constructively using their platform. She stated, “We as artists should be using those tools to get our message out there. Not that they should be using us.” As artists, we tend to conform to what’s trending in an effort to gain an audience or a paycheck, but instead, Martin encourages the path of honesty, courage and authenticity as the way to go.

In my opinion, Martin is at the forefront of artists using their art as a way to raise the collective consciousness. “Are You You”, “Who Are You”, “You Are You” - these are among the phrases frequently used in her work. I believe as a society what we have to do is replace self-consciousness with more self-awareness. In understanding oneself, it’s more likely that you’ll have more understanding and compassion for another, but most importantly, it allows for more self acceptance and less conformity. To quote Shakespeare, “To thine own self be true, and it shall follow like the night the day, thou then canst not be false to any man.”

To this day, I use the stickers as reminders - to be present, to self-reflect, to be as authentic as I can be. Another of Martin’s philosophy I’ve added to my arsenal is “Make & Share.” As artists, sometimes we feel the pressure of perfection; for every piece to be a masterpiece. A lot of material is shelved because we don’t think the work is good enough. But on the other end of that, it could be interpreted as what we experience as oversharing. In letting the audience in on every step of the creative process (#wip), when do we have the chance to just be in the moment with our art? I believe what Martin is suggesting, is to find a balance between creating and sharing. The goal is put a piece of your soul in anything you do, then let it go. That is how you master peace.

I asked @shantell_martin some questions, check out her answers below:

Describe your relationship with Black and White?

SM: It's simple. You cant hide your mistakes. It's calming and in someways it's not as easy as color. It's more challenging.

What key lessons from your stay in Japan do you still live by today?

SM: Discipline and patience is something my time in Japan taught me to value and I always look back to those principles as a foundation of my practice now.

Who's your favorite Superhero and why?

SM: I don't really have a favorite superhero.

Describe your experience of New York in 3 words?

SM: Familiar. Frustrating. Liberating.

What’s your go-to self care practice?

SM: Training Mondays and Fridays in the gym.

Favorite song at the moment?

SM: I don't have a favorite song at the moment but I listen to the Pollen playlist on Spotify a lot.

What was the last book you read?

SM: White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo

What role does music play in your design process?

SM: It helps me relax and it can also add a little spring to my step. Depends on the music depends on what I'm working on.

What is your advice to the millennial generation?

SM: Be nice, work hard.

Photography + Words by Ai-Creo