Ivan Karp once said at a lecture I heard that, "If you're good looking or rich, you'll be very successful in the art world. If all you've got is your talent, then you have a long, hard road ahead of you".
Depressing? Maybe. But what's more depressing -- toiling under the illusion that the art world is a meritocracy? Living a lie on the faith that you will be discovered?
Knowledge is power. Learn EVERYTHING you can, about art, about history, and even about who's who in your scene and in the art world at large. And work hard -- not because you expect a big pot of success at the end of that rainbow, but for the joy of working hard and honing your craft.
Yes -- the art world is often about who you know. That much is a fact, whether we like to admit it or not. But it is also rooted in practicality -- what is easier than looking in your own back yard for an artist if you are in a position to help artists? Your job is to be in that back yard. No, you don't have to schmooze (or screw) your way to the top, but be involved in your community. Meet other artists, go to lectures, volunteer at the museum -- you would not believe how many opportunities can come your way because you were in the right place at the right time, so why not maximize that possibility?
And be kind to others -- the youngster asking for your advice today could be your best collector or advocate tomorrow. Artists can choose to see things as a competition, or hold open doors for each other -- I think the latter will help you more.
The art world is frustrating, and most definitely not fair. Like most things in life, actually. Acknowledge it, and move on. Don't let it be an excuse for not trying, or worse, a bitter badge you wear on your martyr complex. Define what success is to you, and set about to achieve it. Even if you only get halfway there, you can revel in the knowledge that you got off your ass and did something; that's better than the majority of people, at the very least.
Good luck, and I hope you are able to find success, whatever that means to you. (all that's important.)
3 comments:
Add business sense to that knowledge angle - I've always felt a mediochre artist with a savvy business sense has a better chance of "success" than an anti-materialist genius. Look at Jeff Koons.
You might also add a disclaimer that California residents may ignore all your above advice! ;-D
i love you honey...
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