arthur and aiesha wright – the wright way

photo by steed media service

Artists

English author and feminist Erica Jong once expressed: “Everyone has talent, but what is rare is the courage to follow the talent into the dark place where it leads.” Shortly after the death of his wife, painter Arthur Wright became overwhelmed with loneliness and was submerged in his own creative blackout. 

“I became very depressed. I wasn’t painting or drawing or doing anything. I even considered suicide because I had lost such a great person in my life. But I started watching my daughter, Aiesha, and she inspired me when she would come up with sketches. And I began to feel her artistic energy.” Wright says.

Using his daughter’s elementary drawings as a starting point, Wright integrated his vision with her creativity and illustrated it on canvas. “I see so much in her sketches, and I just wanted to take it to the next level and have the courage to share it with people, because it has really been like therapy for me,” he shares. 

The Wrights’ work has been featured in various galleries across the city of Chicago, and through the constant inspiration of his daughter’s unencumbered imagination, Wright believes that their artwork will serve as a beacon for others who find themselves trying to overcome a period of creative darkness. “Our work is spiritual, enlightening and giving because we get to share a part of our story with others,” he explains. “When people go through things, it is important for them to remember to keep an open mind because they can broaden their whole understanding just by seeing.” – jamana jamison