"Tribute" by Courtney Gatewood

I grew up under her care

While not understanding the world around me

This world felt cruel and intentional

And it conflicted her son

I watched her son decay to it

This world did no favors for him

But he was her world

And they were my world

He died

She died

I hid from the world

Until I created my own little lives

And I found the world was not cruel

It was misunderstood

I revived

I introduced this new world to my 3 little lives

I rallied and cultivated

This world is delicate

But it will flourish you if you observe

I create to connect to the world

Connect to feel like I belong

- Courtney Gatewood

“Tribute”

“I created a tribute painting for my grandmother. She raised me while my parents struggled with addiction. She was my best friend. After high school, I married my sweetheart and moved away, but I made sure to call her every day to check on her. When that marriage fell apart, I took my children and started anew. I decided to put myself through school, but she passed away the week before I began. I created this in her loving memory, along with a poem I wrote myself.” -Courtney Gatewood

ARTIST STATEMENT

As a ‘Response Artist’, Courtney Gatewood draws from personal experiences to foster a sense of community through shared insights. Their work serves as a testament to the human condition, bridging emotional gaps that often leave individuals feeling isolated. Through the mediums of painting and drawing—frequently intertwining the two—Gatewood translates thoughts and experiences into tangible pieces that encourage healing and connection.

Originally from Tennessee, with time spent in Illinois where they welcomed two of their children into the world, Gatewood brings a diverse perspective to their art. Passionate about connecting with others, they find immense joy in witnessing how their creations offer relief and affirm that no one is alone in their struggles. By showcasing their work beyond Tennessee, they strive to bridge emotional gaps across America, promoting unity and understanding through art.