The writer, designer, and maker Leanne Prain discusses her new book The Creative Instigator’s Handbook: A DIY Guide to Making Social Change Through Art (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2022), with Joseph Planta.

The Creative Instigator’s Handbook: A DIY Guide to Making Social Change Through Art by Leanne Prain (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2022). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: The Creative Instigator’s Handbook

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Leanne Prain joins me again. She has just published a new book, The Creative Instigator’s Handbook: A DIY Guide to Making Social Change Through Art. It’s a terrific book, marvelously designed and engaging too. Leanne looks at how even in a pandemic, when people are self-isolating, so much creativity can be manifested. She also points out in the book, the connection between art and activism. That’s something important to consider, not just of contemporary movements but protests in history. The book is a showcase of the artwork of so many of the people that Leanne has interviewed not just close to home like the poet Kevin Spenst, who launched his recent book of poetry doing distanced readings across the city. As well, Leanne looks at artists in the United States who found inspiration in the Black Lives Matter movement, or around the world, like in Copenhagen, where she talks to Thomas Dambo who upcycles materials and makes remarkable sculptures. The book is also helpful in terms of providing encouragement and ideas as to what activist endeavour one might wish to tackle, with checklists, or many other examples of people who’ve taken on an artistic pursuit for themselves and/or the wider world. Leanne Prain is a writer, speaker, and certified design professional. Her previous books include Yarn Bombing (co-written with Mandy Moore), and Strange Material: Storytelling with Textiles, which she was first on the program with back in 2014. Like that book, this new one is from Arsenal Pulp Press. Visit www.leanneprain.com for more. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Leanne Prain; Ms. Prain, good morning.

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