About Me — ART/IST
a visual artist giving writing a go.
It’s me. Yes, there’s only one person behind ART/IST. I am what they call a visual artist; I try to stay away from labels as I feel they restrict me, giving writing a go.
I write about anything relating to art including stories about artists, the art world, some art history, and my observations and thoughts about all of these. I think a lot about art, what being an artist means, and why art is made and I have a lot to say about the art world.
What I do most of the time when I am not writing, reading, cooking, taking walks, travelling, and having a go at some furniture-making, is what is labelled as art. I have been accepted and approved by the art world but have always kept one foot out. The rebel in me does not let me play to the art world. I have bitten the hands that feed me… but not too hard.
I have a degree in art history from one country, a masters in Fine Arts from another country, and have been working as a visual artist in a third for some time. I have taught art and art history to college students and older adults. I do miss teaching at times.
Although I do not think the art world is as bad as many think it is, I do not like many parts of the art world, such as the exclusivity. I believe a lot of what goes on in the art world including what gets written about art in journals and magazines is meant to keep people out.
My aim is to write about art as clearly as possible but without being dismissive as often happens when it comes to contemporary art. No one asks what a piece of music means. No one dismisses Virginia Woolf because they do not understand her writing. Yet, modern and contemporary art gets dismissed too hurriedly.
I remember reading Virginia Woolf in my younger years and feeling confused and unable to follow. Today I have read a few of her books and was able to follow her writing and get stuff out of it to apply to my own life. And I have never studied literature or writing.
What gives me most satisfaction is when my art speaks to people who talk about themselves as “not being knowledgeable” about art. They hesitate to speak about my work at first but when they do, when they talk about what it reminds them of or what it makes them feel, they usually have the best response to my work. I hope that this happens through my writing too, that it does something to you, the reader. It’s ambitious of me, I know.
I have rarely shared my writing publicly previously to medium. It’s time to make a change and put my thoughts, observations, and also opinions out there. I have also recently found out writing to be another form of expression for me. I need to write. I figure things out while I am writing. You may notice some experimentation going on in my stories.
I am hoping that one day, my writing could even sustain my art-making so maybe I can take both of my feet out of the art world and be more independent.
Your comments, feedback, and suggestions are very welcome.
You might find more about me in the two stories below;
