EMBRACING VULNERABILITY AND AUTHENTICITY IN GRACEGLOVER’S WORLD
Grace, a 21 year old multifaceted artist hailing from West London, is making waves with his unapologetically raw and diverse creative expressions. As one-third of the artistic collective Fuckinsincere, Grace's artistic journey is defined by his insatiable passion for creation across various mediums.
In a candid interview with KTD, Grace delves into the depths of his artistic inspiration and process. Drawing from personal experiences, including heartbreak, Grace channels raw emotions into his work, believing that honesty and vulnerability breed powerful art.
Despite the judgmental nature of social media, Grace fearlessly shares his poetry and artwork, viewing vulnerability as a strength rather than a weakness. He challenges traditional notions of masculinity, advocating for authenticity and self-acceptance in creative expression.
Embracing discomfort and pushing boundaries, Grace believes in the purity of art, refusing to compromise for the sake of conformity. Grace has embarked on the journey of writing a book at the beginning of the year, treating it like a daily journal whilst sharing daily snippets with his audience on Instagram. His "just write every day" mindset fuels his creative process, evident in his upcoming art exhibition, promising a multifaceted experience for audiences.
Navigating multiple mediums, Grace confronts perfectionism, finding beauty in imperfections and embracing his unique voice. His debut exhibition, titled "Not for Sale," reflects his belief in the value of his work and the importance of patience and self-belief in the face of industry pressures.
As an independent artist, Grace acknowledges the logistical challenges and the need for consistency amidst life's fluctuations. With unwavering dedication, he continues to carve his path, inspiring audiences to embrace authenticity and pursue their passions.
With his fearless approach to creation and a commitment to genuine expression, Grace's artistic journey as a musician, painter, writer & poet promises to captivate and inspire audiences worldwide.
CHO: Thank you for joining us today at KTD. With your diverse talents across various artistic mediums, how do you define yourself artistically?
GRACE: a slut for creating. any artform i’ll do it.
CHO: Where does this passion for expression stem from and how has it evolved throughout your artistic journey?
GRACE: It’s always been there. I went through a break up and wanted to get something from that feeling so i channeled it into my work, which i hate being so open about, i find it so weird but i’m not doing it for a pity party or to overshare. I just think authenticity makes good art. and if that makes me look strange or get me in trouble then that’s the price.
I should probably get over it but pains a good fuel for creation. So i think creative people tend to hold onto those emotions for longer
CHO: Your poetry in particular, is very raw and unfiltered. Social media which is currently the main vehicle you use to share your work is known for being extremely judgmental. Do you face any challenges when it comes to sharing your work? If so, how do you overcome them?
GRACE: i know people talk and people will have their opinions. i’ll hear the odd thing but it makes me laugh. vulnerability is a strength. i’m just doing what i love, that dave lyric… would you rather be the person talking or the person doing all the things that people talk about.
CHO: It’s fascinating how you perceive vulnerability as a strength, especially in a modern context where traditional views of masculinity are being redefined. How do you see masculinity evolving in the realm of art, and how does vulnerability play a role in your own interpretation of masculinity within your creative expression?
GRACE: i realized speaking about my insecurities and admitting them is way more secure than masking them and pretending they don’t exist. it’s such a weird perception to think strength is hiding your weakness. it’s a weird perception too to think cause you know my insecurities you can drag me down. You can only drag people down on things they want to hide. I never had big muscles but ill spin any man round on a football pitch. i apply that in life. you don’t need the perceptions of what a man is to be a man. You just need to be yourself.
CHO: How do you think embracing authenticity and vulnerability in your art impacts your connection with your audience, and what message do you hope to convey in your work?
GRACE: i think it means it’s a slow build between audience and artist because of the openness of the work. vulnerability can be a bit much for some. on the flip side, for those who understand it, the connection can be instant and thorough. i think that if i held back and continued on a less vulnerable trajectory i could grow quicker. But i’d rather the art have an impact on five people than brush over 5000. i hope my work and my persistence will encourage people to be themselves and do what they want regardless.
CHO: It seems as though putting yourself lut of your comfort zone is something you purposely strive for. As a multidisciplanary artist, how important is it for you and how does it impact your work?
GRACE: so important, after every post i feel like imma have a panic attack. I have to put my phone away and act like I didn’t just share something so personal online. there’s that Bowie video where he says if you’re scared then you’re on the verge of creating something exciting. It’s so true, I never cross out lyric in fear of someone being offended. It means you don’t compromise and what you put out is completely pure. Good or bad, art should never be played safe.
I’ve wanted to write a book for ages, since i was 17/18. i started it a couple times but i always got stuck on the topic or the layout. Then at 20/21 i adopted more of a ‘fuck it’ approach. just write everyday and trust the topic/layout will form. it’s basically just a diary of my life but it rhymes
CHO: Your approach to writing, embracing the ‘just write everyday’ mindset, is inspiring. How has this attitude influenced your creative process in preparing for your first art exhibition? And could you tell us a bit about what audiences can expect to see at the exhibition?
GRACE: I can’t lie it just made it more stress, cause i’m trynna write a book, run an exhibition, perform my music at the exhibition, release my own music and music with insincere all at the same time. But i love it. cause of that my goal is to have a mixed audience where people know me for different reasons. That’s what i want at the exhibition and in general.
CHO: It sounds very challenging. How do you manage your time and creative energy effectively across all your different mediums?
GRACE: I’m impulsive and can’t focus on anything for too long so naturally it makes sense for me to deviate from painting to recording to writing the whole time. My mood depends on which one I start with, I can’t explain it I’m just more drawn to doing one at a certain time.
CHO: It's widely believed that in order to master one craft you have to focus on just that one craft until you’ve achieved mastery. As an artist with many talents, what’re your thoughts on perfectionism in art? How do you navigate the balance between striving for excellence in all your mediums and embracing imperfection in your creative process?
GRACE: perfectionism is my biggest blockade. i’ve been writing since 12 making songs etc. and cause I didn’t think they were “perfect” I never released them. I listen to them on my phone now and love them. this book is essentially a way to not overthink, writing everyday - if its not perfect there’s not much time to change it. Through this process i’m finding so much beauty in imperfections. Its affected my own music too - i’m “bad” at singing but i don’t care, i’m singing. Perfect doesn’t even exist, mad to be blocked by something categorically fake.
CHO: ‘Not for sale’ the name of your debut exhibition, what inspired it?
GRACE: Since getting signed/dropped with music i’ve had a mad experience on how these creative industries work. I understand the value of my work. Irrespective of my size or the “weight” of my name, i think its silly to sell out early. Thus not for sale, creates this idea of rarity. My work will be for sale when people value it at the same worth i do. Patience + self belief.
CHO: Thank you for taking the time to talk with KTD. We wish you all the best and look forward to seeing how your career progresses
GRACE: Love skiiii