Lonnie Holley, Visiting Artist Lecture 2022

Lonnie Holley and Matt Arnett have an intimate conversation about Holley’s experience overcoming the barriers, struggles, and prejudices he faced growing up in Alabama to become the internationally renowned self taught artist he is today. While the two speak to one another, a slideshow plays in the background of Holley’s visual art. Holley also shows moments from his film and video work, and speaks about the many lessons he learned that shaped him into the artist he is today, particularly lessons from his grandmother who imparted to him not to be afraid and relinquish fear. Holly states how the love he experienced from his grandmother shaped his commitment to children, education, and always visiting schools. Throughout the lecture, Holley sings and plays music and shares many words of wisdom with the participants, whether it is to always build a community to give and draw strength from, not to get so caught up in a type of love that can strangle you, and to share love as a force of generosity and responsibility. Holley talks about the kinship he feels between being a musician and a visual artist, and how the two are like siamese twins, operating in order to support one another. Holley also tells the participants to use their talents and what they have in order to get what they need, to learn how to give and educate oneself, and not to waste time dwelling in jealousy, animosity, and greed. Holley ends his lecture by stating that he uses the love that he has received from the people around him who have uplifted him and has transferred this into his art.