12 May 2015

Artworks that have conquered a place in the front of the market, usually are created by artists who are unmistakable distinguished persons. These artists don’t necessarily have to be extrovert characters, but in some way they are clearly presented in society. They catch the eye by their behavior, their appearance, their statements or their secondary activities.
For example, at the art fair there was an artist who was dressed like a kind of Lolita doll. That helps. The initiator of the art fair, who is an artist himself, has his own temple and a whole bunch of worshipers. That helps. There are artists who have a strong opinion. Sometimes stated through their art, but just as often simply as being an opinionated person.
I slowly got the idea that when an artist is liked as a person, people actually want to buy ‘a piece of the artist’. That makes sense if sometimes you can’t understand why specific art sells anyway. Than people don’t buy art, but buy a piece of the creator.
What I do understand (and what I always knew, but just wasn’t willing to accept) is that the artist is part of his art.

In my early painting days I didn’t want to write an explanation about my works. I was convinced that a good artwork could speak for itself. Even if the work had absolutely nothing to say. And let’s be honest; while I was younger there was less to tell. Or better said, the ‘colours’ were less varied (and I don’t mean that literally). Being aware of that fact I found my art was more decoration than a meaningful piece. And personally; pure realistic landscapes for example, are still troublesome for me in that way. What is the message?

While working on my last series, I spent a serious amount of time to the interpretation of my works … which was -to my surprise- much more valued by the viewers than I ever had imagined.
With adding these written meanings to my paintings I have pushed myself a step forward. It worked so well that it made me think of other aspects of my presentation. How to offer my audience an insight into who I am, without forcing myself into situations I’m not good in? Like mingling in public. Socially I never have been a ringleader. I can learn, but it never will going smooth. So I have to find another form for those who are interested in me as a person.

Maybe my vlogs could be used as a contemporary way to give something of myself?