Resistance is Joy

Description

Resistance Is Joy is a portrait of a writer, activist, and environmentalist who repeatedly places herself at the front lines of justice movements, helmet and gas mask ready, yet does so with steadiness, confidence, and unmistakable joy. While the phrase “joy is resistance” is commonly invoked in activist spaces, the subject of this portrait articulated a reversal that stuck with me: for her, resistance itself is joy. She finds meaning, connection, and happiness in collective action — in standing shoulder to shoulder with others who are willing to put their bodies on the line for a more just and livable world. This work was created using my signature collage technique, layering patterned papers, text, and imagery to build the figure before refining the portrait with oil paint. Across the background, the phrase “joy is resistance is joy” repeats like a quiet mantra, partially obscured and revealed through layers. Stylized bees appear throughout the composition, echoing both the subject’s environmental advocacy and the idea of collective labor — small acts accumulating into powerful change. The floral pattern of her shirt reinforces this connection to the natural world. Energetic brushstrokes in the background complete the piece, capturing the boldness of her spirit and the charged, hopeful energy I felt while painting her. Though the issues at stake are serious, the portrait refuses anger as its primary language. Instead, it creates something more sustaining: joy as fuel, joy as community, joy as a reason to keep going.