Why should an Artist Go for Art exhibitions?

Every artist is likely to have these questions in her / his head:

Do I possess the required skills? How do I address my doubts? Is my work good? Is it excellent? Is it bad? What does it lack? Is my work unique? Does my work speak to the viewer?

And

How do I progress from where I am now?

I paint. I write. I trust you, the reader, will indulge me when I use visual artists and writers as examples to illustrate this point.

The questions are the same as in my earlier piece on ‘Why should an Artist exhibit?’ This article explores the availability of answers from our contemporaries.

Something extraordinary happens when we see art. This applies to everybody, not just those having an understanding of the finer aspects. Art stirs emotions. Some works make us smile, and yet others make us wrinkle our noses. Some pull us back for another lingering look while some others don’t quite make an impact. Often we carry vivid images in our minds eye, that stay long after the visit.

For a creator, seeing the work of another, the impact is even more so. Our mind reimagines the likely thoughts the artist would have had. The long hours she / he would have put in, striving for perfection on every inch of the canvas. The techniques and colours used, the effects they create and so on.

It is then that the magic happens. “Oh! I can do that! I can do that in my own way!’ Would we think that in a vaccum? The experience makes us want to try new subjects and different techniques. It makes us want to be bolder. One can actually see immense potential in ourselves in the work of others!

A writer is encouraged to read. In fact that’s the best advice one can give a writer! Why is that? A writer already has thoughts and ideas waiting to be written, correct? Why does she / he need to read someone else’s outpourings? As someone said “we read books to find ‘words’ for what we already know. A ‘word’ is not a destination, it is only a sign post in a general direction.”

In fact, It is while we are looking at someone else’s work, that we think so much more about our own work!

We never know when and where a new idea will strike and tickles our imagination. It is our own experience, ability and taste that will mark our work. The desire to work more, work harder, to be more focused is what we take home, to push boundaries and take risks.

Don’t worry - you will not blindly copy another’s work. You can never steal what was never yours in the first place! The inspiration will not lead you to reproduce, but to create something new.

Talk to the artists. There is always a pleasure in finding a kindred soul! Only an artist can make another artist believe in herself / himself!

The link between the life experiences and the work of the creator is what the viewer looks for and is curious about. That combination is unique for every artist and it is this vision that makes the connection to the viewer. A quote I read somewhere says it all - ‘painting is about who you are and also about who you can be!’

For a writer, the first draft is telling herself / himself the story. Multiple edits is what brings out the final story. There is an old saying ‘Read different to think different’ Only then can you write different.

Similar it is for a painter. Inspiration drawn from our contemperories is what helps us grow. This time at an exhibition is our own. It belongs to no one else. The effects of the experience is ours to take home and work on.

Exposure to works of the Master artists do wonders for our understanding and imagination too.

Where our thoughts go, our energy will flow!

Finding the answers to the myriad questions may always be a journey. Let's enjoy it. It is the best gift we can give ourselves.

-----

Published in colour Canvas issue of October 2019