SHANTILLY
dialogue with treehouse artists
Who are you and what made you that?
I am a Black Queer revolutionary and artist. I am a product of my experiences and the world around me. I am creating and becoming who I am every day.
What have you been working on recently?
I've been working on my next body of work called "Poli." It's a story of my life told through love songs written from the perspective of the people that I have loved throughout my life. I think it's revolutionary, as a Queer Black person, to be vulnerable in my art and to humanize me in a world built to dehumanize me.
Why do you make art?
I make art because I need to. It's like therapy for me. I have a hard time being vulnerable with people and I have a lot that I want to say. The easiest way for me to say it is through my music.
What role do you think art has in society?
I think art and creativity are vital to everything we do. I would hope to live in a world where everyone is an artist. Art demands a certain level of empathy and sensitivity.
The art we make and the art we love is powerful. It can form who we are. It allows us to see life from someone else's perspective and when done right, it can put a spotlight on the injustices in the world. It can show us what we can do to fix it. It can help us dream of a better world.
How has the pandemic affected your life as an artist (good/bad)?
Not being able to perform is the hardest part. I was really excited to play my EP MYTH live. I was planning a really cool show. MYTH is my debut EP so I was excited to show everyone who I am as an artist and everything I can do. Performing live is my favorite part of what I do and I miss it a lot.
I'm glad to have time to reflect. I didn't realize how much I needed to until quarantine kinda forced it on me. I'm a homebody and an introvert so I've enjoyed being inside.
The art we make and the art we love is powerful.
It can form who we are. It allows us to see life from someone else's perspective and when done right, it can put a spotlight on the injustices in the world. It can show us what we can do to fix it. It can help us dream of a better world.
SHANTILLY, Los Angeles
Where do you want attention focused?
Now is the time for everyone to uplift Black voices. Black perspectives. Black joy. Black people. If we all did everything we could to ensure the world was a better place for Black queer folks, particularly Black trans women and femmes, we would all have a better life.
Now is the time for everyone to uplift Black voices.
Black perspectives. Black joy. Black people. If we all did everything we could to ensure the world was a better place for Black queer folks, particularly Black trans women and femmes, we would all have a better life.
SHANTILLY, Los Angeles
What would prove change in this world?
Change really does start from within. We need to decolonize our minds and figure out how we can dismantle white supremacy personally. We're all complicit in our own ways. I've been doing a lot of reading and introspection. Trying to research a new topic every day and find practical ways I can create change. Some days it's protesting. Some days it's just looking out for my fellow Black folks and making sure they're good. Some days it's just taking care of myself to make sure I'm here to fight another day.
What advice would you give others during this time?
It's not about pace, it's about direction. It's okay to slow down. It's okay to take care of yourself. Keep learning. Keep fighting. We all have our place in the revolution.
TREEHOUSE x SHANTILLY IG INTERVIEW:
