Standing, looking at an artwork in a gallery recently I found myself asking, who is the artist? At one level the answer is obvious – the person who created the object. But the tricky bit is they may or may not be the person/s who decided it was art.
A recent exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia of Aboriginal art is a case in point. The early objects on exhibit became “art” when a curator determined they were. Before that they were objects the community created to give meaning to their lives. There were no artists just the people making the works.
And, I will confess here, I find the idea of being an artist a little bit diminishing. It is possible to be a lawyer because other people aren’t one (I know at least that I am not a lawyer). But if I decide I am an artist does that mean I wasn’t one before or that you aren’t one?
The truth is we are all artists or at least have the potential be. And so being an artist is really little different than being human. At least if we allow ourselves to be fully human.
And whether the things we make are considered to be “art” or not, I guess we will have to leave that to the critics.
Wendy Slee
Very thought provoking…. I enjoyed reading this and knowing others will too…for they might, just as I did, be thinking even more about “what is art” and “who is the artist?”
Del Millar
Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so is an art work.
One entitled an artist is no more an artist than a person who has created a work of art.
But degrees of workmanship vary, and so do personal preferences.
Often it is the case one has to be already a known artist to be reknown.
Doesnt make them better artists, in my opinion, no, but like everything else,
there are degrees of quality/talent/experience.
Price put on art work is sometimes hard to justify, if it’s the name that sells.
I personally believe anyone creating work on a regular basis can call themselves an artist.
Tom Godfrey
Excellent introspective Pilgrim. I am enjoying being fully human and I thank those who like the marks I make and those who don’t (that keeps me on course), as I traverse my personal and shared universe with you other light bubbles. :)
Roisin Markham
What about the art in particular made you think ‘who is the artist?’
“who decided it was art.” – is a seperate issue!
I love this sentence I may infact set my masters around this!
“Before that they were objects the community created to give meaning to their lives. There were no artists just the people making the works.”
Its that mix of art, antropology and your interaction with it that makes it relevant to your experience and now to mine.
You could be a lawyer but you just have n’t gone to law school or passed a bar exam!
What about people who have gone and studied art to progress their artistic development does that mean the are more of an artist or less of one? What about self taught painters/artists who are so talented they superseed the art establishment!
I think at the point you decide ‘I am an artist’, it differenciates you from others. Because you declare your creativity.I think we are all creative. Some have courage and access and opportunity. Or are driven to express themselves… why?
The term ‘artist’ has become over exposed. Artist are you taking professional, community, fine art… there are all these definitions but what do they mean?
The truth is some of us concern ourselves with finding the perfect blue or light exposure, creating art experiences; others in finding the next meal to feed their kids, drug fix, a roof for the night. Being human and the human condition is very different from being an artist.
The choice about whether something is art or not is up to the artist first. Then it depends on your criteria as to why you are an artist or what is important to you as an artist? What is your definition of success and how you asscess feedback
1. I have made art
2. I have made art and show it to the world
3. I want someone to like my art
4. I want someone to buy my art
5. I want to exhibit my art
6. I want to have a curator seek me out for a show
7. I want to have a critic like my art
8. I want a public art gallery to purchase my work
etc, etc…
I find your posts very interesting and thought provoking.
Regards
Roisin
Roisin Markham
Obviously ‘asscess’ is an error to see if you all read it to the end! Sorry, it’s a bit late here.
It should read access.
Willace
I don’t think we have to leave anything to the critics. If I create something that resonates within you, then I am an artist, period. Isn’t art about communication? It’s certainly not about gaining praise – but instead about plucking a string within ourselves that vibrates in the soul of another. If I succeed in reaching out from my individual experience and sharing that on a personal level with you, then I have accomplished my mission, and art exists.
Pilgrim
replied
Willace
This sentence resonates beautifully with me
“instead about plucking a string within ourselves that vibrates in the soul of another”
Morgan MacLaren
Interesting thought Pilgrim. I like the idea that art is creating something that can connect with others in a universal way (because we all have something in common) and letting each person decide what it means to them. A bit like Willace’s comment above. And perhaps art is also finding out what that meaning is to others also! :-)
catruth
An existentialist conundrum.
Mohsen Bayramn...
can’t be more agree with you! for me, those viewers who look and can feel an artwork are artist as well. creators have to make the artworks to bridge the gap between the pure n tough Reality and something Utopian…
Art is just a tool for someone to reach something. but art can work bilabiate!