What do creatives value in themselves?

We’re asking established industry experts and upcoming talent from all over the world to define what they value in themselves – in the hope that it can be encouraging or provide the spark to look inward, into the practices of those who may read. This series will last throughout 2022 and our next three incredible creatives are Murugiah, Alice Chen, Yasmin Ali.

Just in time before the month of March ends, we’re back with the third Creative Values piece, featuring three more wonderful people. Nine creatives in total have been featured now and we’re excited to share more insight from those who you may, (or may not), know.

For the third selection of creatives, we have Murugiah; an award winning artist based in London. Most recently, he created an exclusive print for Creative Boom and also worked with Steam, the largest platform for PC gaming. We also have Alice Chen who primarily works in film, photography and illustration. Alice is also part of the Better Late Than Never podcast! Finally, we’ve got Yasmin Ali – Yasmin’s incredible illustration work has previously got her recognition as one of D&AD’s New Blood "Ones To Watch Graduate" in 2020. Enjoy!

Murugiah, London, Creative Artist

Follow Murugiah: @_murugiah • murugiah.com

"What I value in myself is that I am able to make a living in doing something that I love. It’s a blessing and a curse but I’m at that stage in my career where I have established representing the way I feel through the art that I make and it's now about doing that as much as possible for ever and ever hahahah!!! No, it’s now about finding real connection, it’s about enjoying yourself and not taking yourself too seriously and most importantly its about taking time away from it all to experience life – that sounds very motivation quote-esque – but its true!”

Alice Chen, Leeds/High Wycombe, Photographer/Illustrator/Podcaster

Follow Alice: @aliceeee_art • alicechinghsuan.com

“What I value within myself is my empathy. Although it sometimes turns me into a tear puddle, I appreciate it greatly as it is an integral part of my creative process and final work. Being able to feel deeply allows me to explore within myself and general human dynamics with artistic means, and such expression often feels extremely rewarding when others feel the emotions too.”

Yasmin Ali, Peterhead/Aberdeenshire, Illustrator

Follow Yasmin: @yazu_min • yasminali.myportfolio.com

“I value all the hard work I have put into my passion and to where I have come to now. It can be hard pursuing a career in the arts, with all the doubts and the external pressures and the need to feel like “you’ve made it”. I’m still on that difficult journey now, however despite whatever happens, the fact that I have worked my hardest and earnest in the creative field is something I will always look back and should feel immensely proud of”

If you’d like to share what you value in yourself, please email fusedirectory@gmail.com with a few words about yourself and your creative values!*

*Fuse is platform for creatives from a racialised and ethnic backgrounds, so we’re only accepting submissions from those who identify as that!