The Art of Being Seen 

In a world that encourages us to adopt idealized personas, we grow accustomed to portraying ourselves as what we would consider to be appealing, admirable or socially acceptable. In the process, our authenticity is often diminished, if not lost entirely. We grow scared to reveal our true selves, as though there are parts of us we should be ashamed of, parts of us we should hide or erase entirely. As a result, vulnerability becomes an act of resistance. Authentic self-expression requires the courage to be seen as we are — however non-normatively — without the need for perfection or external validation.  

To make art is to put your heart on display. Creativity flourishes in this openness, and yet fear holds us back from exposing our vulnerable selves. We too often worry that we are not good enough, our work is not good enough, or that neither we nor our creations are worthy of being shared. But art is not about meeting expectations — whether they be ours or others. Art is about offering your truth. And in doing so, we change lives without even realizing it.  

Artists who embrace their vulnerability create work that not only resonates on a profound level but also resists societal pressures to conform. We show others that it is okay to be sad sometimes, because I am sad too. We show others that it is okay to struggle with pain, because I am struggling too. We show others that it is okay to not love yourself, because I too am still learning how to love myself. We all have different stories, but our struggles trigger the same kinds of emotions. Using our vulnerability, we can find common ground in empathy, opening up conversations to explore personal and communal challenges.  

By channeling personal experiences, narratives, and identities, storytelling brings the world closer together, and you closer to yourself. Bartees Strange, Denison Witmer, and Alessia Cara are among many artists who share stories that build this community of care. The three of them have recently released powerful new works that lay bare their fears, doubts, and resilience. 

English-born musician Bartees Strange explores themes inspired by Black horror films in his recent release, Horror. Blending seventies pop, nineties hip-hop, and 2000s alternative music, Strange channels personal and societal fears into a layered and emotionally charged sound. His music reflects his lived experience growing up in rural Oklahoma as a Black artist in predominantly white spaces, constantly navigating a world that questioned his identity. 

American singer-songwriter Denison Witmer reflects on his life as a musician, carpenter, and father in his latest album, Anything At All. In a collection of ten folk-pop songs, Witmer explores existential questions about life, death, and purpose. His music delicately weaves together quiet vocals and instrumentations to capture moments of honest reflection. 

Canadian singer-songwriter Alessia Cara released Love & Hyperbole as a reclamation of self, following a four-year hiatus. Throughout her career, Cara has been candid about her struggles with anxiety, self-criticism, and the pressure to be someone she is not. Her latest work is an extension of that journey, an honest and unfiltered reflection of her growth, joy, and pain. 

Whether through music, movement, or words, art is just another form of storytelling. If you do not yet feel ready to share your story, or if you are simply in the mood to listen to someone else’s story, these songs offer unique and unapologetically authentic experiences of life. Their music does not ask to be judged—it simply exists as an offering of their truth.