I once spoke at the United Nations (UN) about Eleanor Roosevelt's contribution to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a doctrine set forth after the atrocities of World War II, which outlined 30 articles covering universal human rights. She emphasized that human rights begin at home.
Article 19 of the UDHR speaks especially to artists and impacts all human beings. It reads, "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."
This right acknowledges humankind's tremendous freedom to imagine and shape a better future, a fundamental responsibility of artists. Author Neil Gaiman talks about a brighter world birthed from creating something never there before. I believe it's a core responsibility of creatives to help sculpt a better future.
In my experience, the connection between artistic creation and freedom of expression undeniably impacts people. The stark contrast is evident when we consider the absence of human rights in some countries. We find suppression of artistic voices and the destruction of creative works. When creatives are denied the right to speak their truth fully, their art can (and likely will) be controlled.
In essence, our voices can be taken from us. We must protect the union between freedom of expression and art so our visionaries remain empowered to mold the future and enrich our cultures.