I'm not really sure how this blog will be inteprited, but I have never really considered the possibility of making a living off of my art. It just never seemed like an option. I have never sold an artwork and I have never made art in order for it to be sold. However, I have given away thousands of dollars worth in supplies out of my pocket so that people interested in my work could have something.
During Eric Avery's visit to UB, he mentioned that art making without the intention of exhibition is therapy; not art. In last week's class I overheard someone stating this same basic idea. I understand that for artwork to exist in a public realm it needs to be sent out into the world, digested, then burped back up; but SHOULDN'T ALL ART BE THERAPEUTIC? What's so wrong with that? To me, the overwhelming urge in a civilization to create; is civilization's expression of coping with the growing complexity of itself. If not therapeutic, then what?
As for the Artist/Teacher dileama, a printmaker doesn't have many choices. I cannot afford to buy a litho/intaglio press, let alone safely stock a lab, stones, acids, etc. It just makes sense to be in a creative environment such as a university. Plus, I like teaching and I think I'm good at it. So, I have no dileama being an artist who's art may someday dry up teaching others to become passionate about the same thing I myself feel passionately about. Beats making sandwiches. I'm happy just having my prints for myself. If I were to take them too seriously and begin to depend on them as my daily bread; I wouldn't be happy.
Isn't passion the most important thing? Art is a result of passion for life. Teaching is also an expression of passion for knowledge and humanity. I feel that doing both is very noble. In fact, I think something becomes lost when the element of teaching/learning is not involved in the creative process. Learning is certainly a property of creating, so why not teaching?
Maybe I'm just being naive, or maybe I'm being realistic, but I'm not interested in being just an artist. I make art for myself, because I love objects created from passion. I do whatever I need to in order to support and enrich my artmaking. I appreciate them and thats enough for me. Its my passion.
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2 comments:
About art and therapy.
Art being a society's therapeutic act makes sense. It is like hygiene. Art is probalby the voice of a generation/society. It is also the trace this same society is going to leave.
The idea that "the overwhelming urge in a civilization to create is civilization's expression of coping with the growing complexity of itself" is poetic and pretty accurate. But it is not the artist's personal therapy society is interested in. It requires a general discussion an open door to create new meaning. I don't have the pretention to think my art does that. I wish I was able to do so though. And I am thrilled when I see a work of art that does that.
i can relate to what you are saying nate. i definitely make things for myself and often feel that it is indeed therapy or at least meditation. and some of my favorite artists are people (mark ryden, joe sorren, mike brodie) who have never gotten any widespread acclaim from the more prominent art institutions. what i am wondering is WOULD you sell your work if given the opportunity? like say if you were approached tomorrow by a gallery? have you had these opportunities and passed them up? or are you just trying to be realistic in not dreaming for those goals? or is it because you feel your art is a private, personal experience that would be tainted by the world of commerce? just wondering because i think your work has a genuinely empathetic human quality to it that is very appealing and that many people may relate to. so many artists strive for that appeal and never acheive it, but it seems to come effortlessly to you. i'm sure it is a reflection of your honesty when approaching the work, i just hope you wouldn't rule out ever selling your work completely. exhibiting and selling work can serve to inspire people exposed to it in much the same way that teaching can. i do argee with your ideas on teaching though. i enjoy it as well and would like to teach even if i did by some miracle manage to make a living selling my art.
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