Art
Thursday, August 11th, 2016
Well, it’s time to turn over a new leaf and pay attention to my blog. With that in mind, I am posting an artist statement that I wrote recently for an exhibit in Barre Vermont at Studio Place Arts. The exhibit is called Visionary Conspiracy and was advertised as an example of artists’ pushing back against the hatred, terror and violence that is widespread in our world. Here is what I wrote:
In a world where terroism, hatred, religious intolerance and racism seem to be everywhere, a person can feel very helpless and discouraged. Artists, often sensitive and introverted, can feel especially overwhelmed.
Some artists choose to fight back through their art, creating statement pieces to air their grievences, bring attention to important issues and educate the public. Others choose to do what they do best: combat ugliness with beauty, counteract discord with serenity; and use the talent they were blessed with to fill their small part of the world with their art.
At some time in our lives, each of us has to come to terms with our choice to be an artist. In a society driven by money, profit and the bottom line, art making is often not very lucrative and therefore not greatly valued. Not many of us get rich, or can even support ourselves, with artmaking. We choose to create art in spite of this, and for me, this meant acknowledging that art has intrinsic value for its own sake. Art enriches our world and our lives. One has only to imagine a world with NO art, to understand this.
As an artist, I make a decision every day to add something to the positive side of the ledger sheet—to put something of beauty and goodness out into the world. In times of turmoil, it is even more important that this be done. Each artist’s effort might seem insignificant, but together, we make the world a better place.