The pendulum swings.

Between dark and light, mischief and peace, treachery and justice, the pendulum swings. Sometimes not fast enough. Or it appears as if it is not moving at all! Or gets stuck at treachery, held in place by the treacherous. Some of us wait, maintainng faith in the “Honor System.” Some of us don’t notice, preoccupied with the rent, the water bill, new updates on old apps, the 2-for-1 coupon for Deputy Fries and Corporal Cola at the Burger Sheriff.

But some of us act.

We stomp and rage the floorboards of a stage; spew acrylics and oils on canvas; spit rhymes in the mic; chisel words in the stone. Because what is art but forcing the stuck pendulum? What is art if not discovering the treachery, imagining the justice, crafting the peace, and sometimes, in the face of complacency and privilege, tickling the mischief a bit? The pendulum swings; but not always by itself; not always without a nudge – or a shove, or a kick.

We make art to bring about the justice, the peace, the mischief we need to see. And as the world erupts with protesters burning hijabs, underdog armies chasing bullies from their backyards and the slow but sure wheel of justice grinding down on the corrupt, we know art makers were there, are there, will be there. Everyone has a role and nobody should be sitting on the sidelines.

Our Fall 2022 Issue 19 (www.thievingmagpie.org) is full of established and emerging artists from all parts of our world (www.thievingmagpie.org/category/current-parliament/), and as you discover their work, don’t forget to check out their Bio’s (www.thievingmagpie.org/category/current-parliament/about-the-artists/) and learn who these wonderful artisans of justice and mischief are.

Enjoy.