Artist Feature - Dion
Dion — @creatingdion
What led you to BTS?
The culprit was none other than my best friend. Prior to officially becoming an army, I had vaguely heard about BTS and how they were breaking through into the western music scene. I remember hearing and watching their performance at the AMAs back in 2017 and how important it was, but I didn’t pay them too much mind after that. In my first year at community college in late 2018, I used to carpool with my best friend because I had still not learnt how to drive. On our drives, they were typically the one to control what we listened to and for about a month all they played was the Love Yourself Answer album from start to finish. Please note that we had to commute thirty minutes to and from school, so I was listening to this album for an hour each day! At first, I wasn’t really paying attention to the music too much. BTS were on their LY Tour during this time and their closest stop to us was in Oakland on Namjoon’s birthday and I remember my friend talking to me about it, but at the time, I couldn’t care less since I hadn’t become an army yet (that memory still haunts me to this day T-T). Over time, I really enjoyed the songs Seesaw, by whom I now know is sung by Yoongi, as well as Magic Shop, which I also now know is a song written for army :’). Soon after, I was listening to the album on my own time and searching up “bts” on YouTube to watch videos to learn more about the seven boys. I remember the day I was able to name each members’ stage names to my friend. Within the span of a week, I knew I was in and I haven’t looked back since.
Who or what sparked your interest in art?
There was never a particular point in time where I can pinpoint what sparked my interest in art. For as long as I can remember, I have always felt an innate feeling to create. The journey has been long and transformative from very transparent storytelling to multi-surface indirect pieces. Drawing was my first medium possibly before I was even 5 years old. From there, it has ranged to a number of interests from photography, film, and video editing to songwriting, poetry and painting. Simply put, I just have the desire to create. I am not entirely sure why, but I do, and these feelings are the main reason I delved into art. To be able to express my ideas and how I am feeling at that point in time.
Who are your major influences?
In regards to my art, I believe my major influences are all of the aspects of life, the group BTS and my perspective on the human experience. I am very fascinated by human awareness/consciousness and all it entails. Specifically, in terms of how we each experience life in distinct perspectives. I focus the majority of my art on my thoughts regarding what it means to be human. BTS are a major influence for a number of reasons. Since being introduced to them in 2018, their artistry has continuously inspired me from their song lyrics and music videos to their passion and their overall message. Finally, my past and the ways I’ve grown up are heavily implemented into my art because it is all my human experience and art has always been my form of escapism from my own reality. My life experiences not only influence my art, but creating art from them helps me further progress into becoming a better version of myself.
