“This city breeds hustlers.” Anyone who has lived in Memphis can see this. We see people working their butts off to give their families a good life, people taking risks to reach their dreams, people getting off work and waiting for their time to shine. A person with hustle in their soul is someone who will do whatever it takes to get to where they want to go, and Corie Len Walker is the perfect example of this. A trip to Paris at the age of 17 got Corie to commit to a life of art.
Corie wasn’t just kissed by muses one night and woke up able to create art. Artists have to work at their trade just as hard, if not harder, than people in other industries. Art is a struggle, especially if you can’t find inspiration around you. This is one of the many reasons why Memphis is brimming with art. Artists are flocking here for the city’s inspiration of soul and authenticity. While this may create more competition in the local arts scene, it also creates a bigger community of individuals who want to work hard, get creative, and make the best for themselves and others.
The soul of Memphis can’t be summed up by one person or place. The soul of our city is shown by local artists’ work that’s been inspired by the area. Soul is more of an energy that is unique to Memphis. We feel and see it everywhere we go. On every street corner, in every neighborhood, in every business. The authenticity of our little corner of Tennessee gives artists the chance to bring their work to life. Being embraced by your community allows for artists to flourish, and Corie Len is no exception.
