How 'art world' messaging can harm us... and is.

When you begin looking at selling your art, or promoting your work, you hear over and over how you have to 'niche down' and 'define your style'.

While there may be some truth to finding your style, I have always seen that as part of the journey- finding what you like to paint. What makes you feel like you have expressed the feeling/message you are driven to bring into the world? To me, as you build your body of work, as you practice and practice- this occurs naturally. You will find the thing that you are driven to do. But that is where it ends for me....

Being limited by what makes 'real art' or 'fine art' has done more damage to my work than anything else. The rules imposed by other artist, or the 'art world' at large have done more to curb my creativity than any critique ever has. My first gallery experience was so harmful, in enforcing stereotypical art rules- and working to meet their requirements- I forgot how to explore, how to experiment, how to keep pushing the boundaries.

For me, exploration and play are a critical component to my work and process.

I became stagnant, depressed. I began to avoid painting or making, which drove me deeper into depression.

The art world- much like capitalism is a cannibalistic system that can not survive in its current iteration.. and maybe that is because of how they overlap. Much like uncheck capitalism, it demands unlimited growth in a finite system; demanding artists destroy themselves to stay inline with the status quo (niche down, identifiable style, etc, etc) and discouraging exploration, growth, and breakthrough. (Oh sure, you can have those things, but only if it looks like your signature work). That is not conducive to creativity.

I would argue that those who thrive have disregarded those restraints and move forward with their own artistic voice and desires. In doing so, they have become the benchmark that the very system they rejected hold aloft and idolize. (Basquiat, Kahlo, Van Gough, etc)

The artworld ruins art by ruining those who make it. By creating arbitrary rules and standards they damage creation before it can begin - crippling the creative minds that they proclaim undying love and loyalty to.

Artists are in an abusive relationship with the very system that should sustain them - in a culture that can not survive without them but trivializes the drive to make.

Collage- Providence of Man