We had the good fortune of connecting with MoMo Goodrum and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi MoMo, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
“Comparison is the thief of all joy”.
Artists are inherently unique. That’s our job. We all have a story to tell and I can’t let the jaws of comparison keep me from being happy for myself or others when we reach different milestones in our careers.
This quote reminds me to stay in my lane, focus on the work I’ve been called to do, and support other artists on their journey at the same time.
Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
In 2012, my world turned upside down. I was entering my first year of college as an Illustration student when I started experiencing excruciating pain that landed me in the hospital. There, an old doctor bluntly told me, “You have Crohn’s Disease.”
The following days were a blur. Days turned into months and months turned into years. I was completely lost. I forgot who I was and didn’t understand the point of doing art anymore.
It wasn’t until 2020 when my husband and I moved to a sleepy seaside town in NC that I began to rediscover myself. I let my disease hold me back from who I am and realized my diagnosis gave me a unique opportunity to find the good in a sucky situation. And if even one person connected with my story and my art, then it would all be worth it.
The human existence is hard. My goal as an artist is to build a bridge of empathy through my work so people recognize everyone is going through something and to make space for warmth in a cold world full of strife.
That’s why I create.
I create to express emotions you can’t otherwise talk about–visually. I create to bring light into spaces that are pitch black with suffering and sorrow. My work fosters substantial conversations rather than superficial ones where souls can connect.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband, Josiah, saw my potential before I did.
There was a 6-year timespan after I graduated college that I had no freaking clue what I was doing with my life. I felt utterly lost in who I was or where I was supposed to be. But while I felt like a wayward soul without a purpose, Josiah saw the artist I was destined to be. He never doubted that I’d be showing in galleries, museum, or The Other Art Fair New York.
I’m forever grateful I have a spouse who saw my potential, encouraged me to nurture it, and now holds my hand as I walk the windy road of being a contemporary artist.
Website: https://www.momofineart.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momofineart/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG49SdZku5BpDF370NbPlSw/featured
Other: saatchi art profile: https://www.saatchiart.com/momofineart
Image Credits
Photo credit: Haley Melon