I believe risk-taking is inherent in the act of creating art. Art makes a statement that is always open to interpretation, regardless of the intention of the artist. It serves as a record of the current state of the world. In this way, art is political; it has the power to both unite and alienate its viewers depending on their response to the work. In creating art, we risk inviting unwanted criticism which, for many artists, directly influences our understanding of our self-worth.