Pages

Thursday, January 4, 2024

Thursday Thoughts...

"An artist’s work is almost entirely inquiry based and self-regulated. It is a fragile process of teaching oneself to work alone, and focusing on how to hone your quirky creative obsessions so that they eventually become so oddly specific that they can only be your own". 

Lehmann Maupin

So many words in this phrase made me smile - inquiry, fragile, alone, hone, quirky, obsessions, oddly...

As I attempted to discover who this person was, I think I worked out that in fact, this is the name of an art gallery, established by Rachel Lehmann and David Maupin; and perhaps these words are extracted from a catalogue or some publication that the gallery made - with no attribution to an individual.

It nevertheless offers beautiful insight into how it feels to be a maker. An artists' work is very often solitary, and is in pursuit of answers to questions of process like What if? How could I? as well as questions of What am I trying to say? and How can I tell the story? How can I make my voice heard?

By describing a process of honing quirky obsessions, you really feel as if they understand the focus on a style or technique or product or theme that is uniquely your own and how that evolves into being you simply making your work - which no other person can make.

A joyful understanding of the artist-maker.


Art in the making, 2024, that feels as if it is absolutely work that could only be mine.

5 comments:

  1. i think this piece is fabulous. sums up your comment so well and therefor that of Libby Lehman. thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Irene - this piece is on the studio table waiting for some more attention; it is quirky and odd and individual and me! Go well - wishing you a bright and beautiful new year.

      Delete
  2. I made a prior comment and now want to add, one is always beholden to the interpretation someone else puts on ones work, may be enlightening to the artist too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi again! And I like this addition - I really think all we can do is make our own work, which expresses us but then will be 'read' and enjoyed and perceived by others according to their needs, desires and experiences. It is always a two way street and once it is out there, it's over to the viewers and the readers. I have never had to argue what a piece is or means or says, but I expect, if the interpretation was diametrically opposed to my intent, that I could find that difficult. Altho I figure in a case like that it probably says far more about the person than the art! Go well.

      Delete
  3. one of my most treasured blog comments was when someone said they'd recognize my work without attribution ... and yes, I feel that way about the art you create, in all its many manifestations ... thank you for continuing to share your process and pieces here

    ReplyDelete

I appreciate your thoughts and comments; thanks for taking the time.