What does it mean to create art for social justice? In this talk, youth activist and cultural researcher Srina Bose challenges traditional ideas of art and politics, showing how creativity—rooted in everyday life—can drive collective action and change. Through an exercise with young people who turned random objects like candles and markers into raw, political poetry, Srina highlights how art isn’t just for gallery walls or elite circles. It’s about questioning the world around you, reclaiming space, and finding beauty and resistance in the mundane. Drawing from examples like Detroit’s Heidelberg Project and youth protest art in India, she explores how art can democratize advocacy and serve as both survival and solidarity. Art becomes participatory, blurring the lines between creator and audience, embodying public connection, and reimagining the dominant structures we live in. Art is not a means to an end. However, it becomes a form of public participation, forging community memory and resilience. Srina reminds us that humans are, before all else, social and creative beings. Bringing these facets together is where revolution begins. To thrive, we must see beauty everywhere—art everywhere—and the potential for change everywhere. As American poet Adrienne Rich once said, “Poetry isn’t a revolution but is a way of knowing why it must come.” Creation is resistance. Creation is defiance. And when art imitates life and life imitates art, art can certainly demand change Srina Bose, a youth activist, political entrepreneur, and social organizer, is a Grade 12 student and School Captain at Springdales School, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi. Through her nonprofit, The Teenage Lens, and political startup, Yuvacracy, she has empowered over 3,000 young people in civic engagement, youth political empowerment, and art activism.Srina works closely with the Delhi government on projects promoting youth readership, women’s empowerment, and education. A talented public speaker, she was the second runner-up at the International Global Youth Public Speaking Championship and has spoken at the Indian Parliament. In 2023, she was the only student speaker at the Global Educators Fest.As a published poet and researcher, Srina combines creativity with activism to demystify politics and inspire youth-led social movements. Her mission is to empower her generation to become active participants in democracy, leveraging art and collective action for meaningful change. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx