I am in a much brighter mood today as I went to see a new studio yesterday. Inches away from confirming but I'll have to wait and see. Getting the right space to work in is integral. Fingers crossed!
I am working on a new photographic series which I'm so excited about but I won't post yet because I'm saving the juice for my next show.
Here's a new piece, available from MementoMori Corps along with a few others.
On another note, I am pleased to announce I got my 'Fuck You' back (by the way, I am aware that swearing is in no way clever or that it should be used as an adjective). I think since my show 'This Artist Blows' in October 2008, I was so worried about everything because of the 'criticism' I received (if death threats can be described as 'criticism!'). In 2009 I made practically nothing. 2010 was better and now I'm on a roll.
What's changed? I stopped caring. It was the same thing when I was at art school, I made work for two years that I thought I SHOULD make, that I thought everyone else would like. Then something happened in the last year. I thought 'sod it, I can't be an artist if THIS is what I have to make, so I'm just going to do what I like'. And then all was great.
I suppose after 'This Artist Blows' whenever I tried to start a new piece of work I would think about all the possible things people could read into it, I got scared about what people would say or think. And so I talked myself out of doing it.
When before, in the run up to the show, the beauty of it was that I had no idea what people would think, I made stuff I liked and didn't think about the reaction...I suppose because I didn't expect there to be one.
Now, realising that I no longer should worry about how people will perceive my work and to trust my own instinct with stuff really is the most freeing experience in the world. I feel like the floodgates have opened and so creative. I felt this in 2007 and 2008 but had not realised until recently how after 'This Artist Blows', I had slowly regressed back into that first year art student. I don't think I will always be free from that person. A couple of months ago it literally dawned on me in a matter of seconds. One minute I was worrying about something, the next minute I thought 'Oh yeah I don't actually care!!! And I should not care!!'.
The only way I can describe this feeling is a wonderful feeling of going FUCK YOUUUU. It's always a two fingered feeling. It's the best. And the most creative.
Anyway, the reason I am writing this blog is because I am embracing the 'Fuck You' and I think you should all come with me. I know so many people who are amazing but won't put themselves out there because they're worried for this or that reason - or even people who I know could be so much better if they stopped giving a shit - if they stopped thinking 'I should be like this, or 'I should be like that'. Jump on the 'Fuck You' train!!!!
My brother said to me as a child 'Sarah, you've just got to give less of a shit.' I've never forgotten it, how right he was!!
Let's make a list of all the great people who are/were on the "Fuck You' train. I'll start, the Sex Pistols. More suggestions/recommendations please!! xxxxx
3 comments:
I prefer saying "Up your butt with a coconut".
Life is too short to worry about what others think of you and your work. I always ask myself will I every see or hear from these people again? Will they come and talk to me in person or take pot shots at me semi-anonymously via reviews and snide emails?
My favorite artist/person was Winston Churchill who said:
"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference."
To heck with the neighbors!
I am with you there. Sometimes I worry and I get anxious what others will say to my works, but I shouldn't care. Thanks for this reminder.
-Sabina
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