– Marlon West, a native of University City and animator for Disney, used comic book-style art to process feelings around COVID-19 limitations and the killing of Black Americans.
– His artwork is a therapeutic medium, offering resilience and inspiration.
– West has been involved in numerous Disney blockbusters, such as The Lion King and Frozen.
– His latest project, “Living in Color,” is a comic-style strip depicting his pandemic experiences.
Marlon West’s Artful Response to Pandemic and Racism
Born and bred in the artistic milieu of University City, Marlon West is not just an animator who masters the Disney magic behind films like The Lion King and Frozen. During these unprecedented pandemic times characterized by restrictions and heightened racial tensions, West has found solace and expression via the powerful medium of comics, turning his experiences into a series of compelling illustrations.
Practicing Therapeutic Creativity
The animator uses his artistic prowess as a therapeutic outlet, a resilience-enhancing routine aiding him in processing the horrors of COVID-19 and the tragic events surrounding the killings of Black Americans. West’s work, typically characterized by Disney’s magical and imaginative world, has taken on a fresh, different yet just as passionate and powerful scope – a testament to his versatility and commitment to speaking his truth.
Living in Color Project
His latest creative endeavor—aptly dubbed “Living in Color”—is an immersive comic strip series. It’s drawn from and reflects his daily life during the lockdown—a struggle, a revelation, a patchwork of memories, and complex emotions depicted with finesse and depth.
The Breezy Take
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and racial tensions, a distinguished artist like Marlon West using his skills to process these difficult times is deeply moving. His project “Living in Color” not only provides him therapeutic relief but also speaks volumes about the resilience and strength inherent in art. It underscorely that one can wield a paintbrush, a pen, or an animator’s technology to vividly articulate the personal and collective journey through challenging times. For Disney animator West, inspiration and resilience are where the lines of life and art intersect. Indeed, in the face of adversity, he still creates magic, albeit in a different kind. In the words of Walt Disney himself, the real trouble in the world is too many people grow up, but West’s art shows that growing up doesn’t mean losing sight of your creativity or your voice.
Original article: https://www.stlpr.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2023-08-25/ink-tributes-pay-homage-to-victims-of-police-brutality-civil-rights-heroes