To Be Magazine Issue #7

Grit. The word was chosen because it has multiple meanings: the fine, stony texture of earth or sand; the firmness of character; the clamping of objects together; a person’s courage and tenacity. It’s also an idea that is integral to the making of a magazine, for it takes a lot of perseverance and passion to create these 176 pages. It takes a lot of work.

I first learnt about the concept of grit when reading Angela Duckworth’s 2016 book of the same title. She writes, “Grit is about working on something you care about so much that you’re willing to stay loyal to it … it’s doing what you love, but not just falling in love—staying in love.” After rereading this definition, I realised that grit, then, was a natural concept to use as this issue’s theme. The seventh issue of to Be is overflowing with people who are enamoured by what they do.

The Becoming section of this issue spotlights the musicians, artists, designers and photographers who are still in the early stages of their creative romance. A special thanks to Royel Maddell, Otis Pavlovich, Vân-Nhi Nguyẽn, Ruby Pedder, Sophie Hur and Pol Taburet for bringing this section to life.

Sampha Sisay who features on this issue’s cover has been infatuated by music since he was a young boy. When I first discovered from a dear friend that Sampha would be touring his sophomore album, Lahai, in Australia, I jumped at the opportunity to feature him in the magazine, and here he gloriously is, photographed by Hector Clark alongside seven beautiful ballerinas—who too, might I add, know how to work hard. Sampha’s softness is right there in the images, and in the endearing interview he gives to writer Nick Buckley about the birth of his daughter, his fear of flying, the loss of his mother and father, anxiety and self-acceptance. “The harder thing is to consciously be brave,” Sampha reflects. “For adults, it’s assumed that in the face of knowledge, in the face of experience, you face your fears and that takes a level of grit and determination… but it’s also important to know when ‘now is not the time’ and you have to be a bit softer on yourself.”

Then, in our Minutes section, we hear from Elaine Constantine, whom I had the pleasure of interviewing. I have always been fascinated by the British photographer’s images of smiling young women, the way they emit such delectation. After meeting Constantine over Zoom, I quickly realised that these images stand for way more than joy. Her vivid photographs capture those brave enough to thrive in the uncontrollable, those willing to stay humble and those strong enough to ask for what they want. They express what is actually real in this very unreal world.

Speaking of the real world, Zurich-based artist Louisa Gagliardi discusses how her digitally rendered paintings explore the illusory nature of social media and technology; Danish photographer Michella Bredahl details in an interview with friend and colleague Katie Brown her attempts to uncover people’s most intimate spirit; and NOLM-owner Sasha Yu sits down with artist Mark Bo Chu to classify really good design.

And of course, I cannot overlook our two Selects segments where photographers Stephanie Cammarano, Jun Chin, Mia Rankin, Myriam Tisbo and Lilli Waters show us that while grit is one thing, what you do with it is quite another.

While grit isn’t explored in an obvious way, I hope that it’s multifarious meanings can be felt. I also hope that those who worked hard to move their individual mountains felt relief when they reached the other side. After all, as Duckworth says, “to be gritty is to resist complacency”.