Artist’s Name: Aisha Duncan

Name of Brand:  Tower of life

Artist’s Age:  23

Artform: Poetry

Instagram: @_toweroflife

Why do you do what you do? When did you realize a passion for what you do?

After going through some life changing experiences including my relationships both romantic and otherwise. In addition to my quest of self acceptance; I found that I best expressed my trials through writing. It made my situation easier to relay to others and more tangible thus making it easier to deal with.

What is your educational background?

The Immaculate Conception High School.

What are some of the challenges that you have faced while trying to pursue your passion?

The first challenge was internal; wondering if my work was good enough. Truthfully it began as a form of therapy for me so it was extremely personal. It wasn’t until afterwards, when I decided to share a piece I did in praise of the women in my family, that I realized my friends and family liked my work. The other challenges include: the ever so faithful writer’s block, the pressure to be authentic to your own voice and creating a diverse writing style.

Have you encountered people who have been skeptical about your dreams?

Many, and these are the closest ones to me.

How did you initially react to those people and how do you act towards them now?

Initially, I just accepted it, it was more of an inward battle having the ones you love not have the enthusiasm you would expect for something you hold so dear. In recent times, I just learned to accept criticism both good and bad, filter out the positive points and either apply them to better myself or disregard them totally.

What are some of the fears that you face even today?

The constant fear of how people react to your work and how it is received, as opposed to how it was meant to come across.

How do you deal with those fears?

Have an amazing support system and simply believe in your work.

How do you work? What is the method to your ‘madness’ and how do you filter your creativity?

Several different ways, sometimes I work off a topic and apply feeling to it. Other times I do the opposite. I’ve taken months to finish the same poem before because growth brings about varied inspiration.

What role do you believe “the artist” has in society? / How do you feel your art form has the power to benefit society?

I think the artist has a powerful role, even though it is severely downplayed. Art allows you to evoke and come to terms with different feelings allowing your expressive nature to assist in forming you as an individual. Whether by participating or just admiring it.

Out of all your work, which piece resonates the most with you?

I have a few but my favourites are always the ones that push the border of what I thought my capacity as a writer was framed as. For example: “Beauty“, “The Matriarch” and “Let’s Play“.

Where do you see yourself going?

That is still to be determined, as my poetry became a platform where I wanted to relate to people. Not necessarily a long term plan, but who knows what the future may hold.

By what terms do you measure success or perfection? When do you feel like you can say that your work is finished and ready to be experienced by others?

When I feel like the thought is complete and I’m satisfied with how it comes across.

What is some advice that you would give to anyone who is trying to walk the same path as you?

Do what you love in the best way you can, always plan, be open to criticism and trust your instincts.

“Do what you love in the best way you can, always plan, be open to criticism and trust your instincts.”

~ Aisha Malene Duncan