Art, whether it’s the art of being an executive, a great athlete or a painter, goes beyond relentless training and skill. We often take for granted the power of individual expression. Everyone, whether a business executive, celebrity, writer or painter, is creative with something beautiful and valuable to offer the world. Freedom of expression lifts us into the realm of sanctity that sets us apart from all other living beings.
My collaborations with Swedish cast-glass artist, Bertil Vallien, resulted in sizable wall sculptures dedicated to human rights in the entryway of my museum, Imagine Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida. The inspirational quotes by human rights advocates etched in glass scattered amongst other glass sculptures reminded me of human beings’ harrowing, inspiring journeys and the power freedom of expression bears in our experiences.
Art reflects one of the most fundamental human rights — the right to express oneself in a magnificently unique way. Whether someone is creating art or observing it, the experience is personal, as it bears witness to the human experience. A pillar of U.S. ideals of individual freedom, Benjamin Franklin is famously credited with saying, “Whoever would overthrow the Liberty of a Nation must begin by subduing the Freeness of Speech.”
For this reason, artistic expression is dependent on human rights, and human rights are dependent on creative expression. We must understand the union between the two to preserve them.