Art for Activism: Gaming Whale Press
We love all sharks and rays, but we certainly have a soft spot for those local to our home of Southern California. Fellow Los Angeles natives, Gaming Whale Press, are the artists behind our popular ‘Meet the Locals’ sticker pack. Gaming Whale Press co-founder and artist, Abeera Tareen, shared her story of starting a company in the middle of a pandemic to promote activism through art.
SC: Tell us a little about how and why you started Gaming Whale Press.
AT: Gaming Whale Press was born in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic. While stuck inside the house during quarantine, my brother and I decided to use our free time productively to create stickers using materials and machines that we already had at home. It began as a fun hobby to create stickers for ourselves, but we quickly realized that we can use our love for art and combine it with our passions and interests to create stickers for everyone!
SC: Your business name is certainly unique. What’s the meaning behind it?
AT: We get this question all the time! Our goal was to have our business name be memorable and representative of who we (my brother and I) are. The "Gaming" in Gaming Whale Press, represents my brother, Azan (14), who has a love for all things video games. The "Whale" is significant to me, Abeera (24), for it represents my love for marine/oceanic life.
SC: You use your artwork to spread happiness and individuality. Where do you get inspiration for your work?
AT: It may sound simple, but we are truly inspired by concepts and themes that make us happy first. In addition, we connect with our friends, family and customers to find out what stickers they are looking for and this gives us a solid starting point for each design.
SC: Your stickers illustrate a range of issues, from climate change to human rights. How do you think art can support activism and conservation efforts?
AT: Art has evolved with technology. We are able to use our art with the combination of technology to promote messages that we believe in and that are truly important. The eye moves towards visually aesthetic things. Activism through art (that is spread through the use of social media platforms, etc.) can allow for great exposure. For those who are visual learners, providing a visual image to support the cause can allow these individuals to grasp the message in a better way.
SC: You have several designs of sharks and whales. Do you have a favorite ocean animal in real life?
AT: Yes! I truly love them all, but killer whales will always have a special place in my heart.
SC: What was your favorite design to create and why?
AT: When we created Gaming Whale Press, many events related to social justice, climate change, politics, health, conservation, etc. were happening in the world. For this reason, my favorite designs to create are those that send a message in a visually aesthetic way. When we collaborate with organizations with amazing mission statements, it makes creating these designs even more rewarding.
SC: What’s next for you and Gaming Whale Press? Do you have any plans for the future?
AT: There is so much potential for Gaming Whale Press in the future. We are currently working on new designs and I hope to expand the business to offer customers our designs on other surfaces such as pins, t-shirts, canvas bags and more.
SC: You have your hands full between balancing school and running a small business. What do you like to do in your free time?
AT: My free time consists of spending time with friends and family and participating in hobbies that I enjoy like painting, reading, and being in nature.
SC: Are there any people who you look up to?
AT: It may sound cliché, but our mom and dad have been our inspiration for Gaming Whale Press. Our parents are both business owners and are extremely motivated individuals. Their guidance and support have played a crucial role in our small business. It also helps that our dad is naturally artistic, so maybe we got our love for art from him!
SC: Like the Shark Allies team, you’re from Los Angeles. What’s your favorite thing to do in Southern California?
AT: It feels impossible to narrow it down to one thing, but my absolute favorite thing to do in Southern California is to watch the sunset in Malibu - Point Dume to be exact!
Sharky sticker packs by Gaming Whale Press are available in our Shark Cafe shop. The ‘Meet the Locals’ pack includes five of our favorite Southern California species, including makos, great whites and leopard sharks. The ‘Targeted’ pack features some of the top species that are targeted for their liver as part of the global squalene market, like whale sharks and basking sharks. All proceeds directly support Shark Allies’ work to protect sharks and rays from overfishing around the globe.