How to become an interesting and relevant author. 9 advices by Julia and Max Voloshyn to young artists

11

October

2017

This spring we visited Uzhhorod as partners of "Silver Easel" contest. Our observations of the students’ works in this art contest, as well as those proposals for exhibiting projects that are constantly received by the Voloshyn Gallery from young artists, led us to considerations. We are often asked the following standard questions: "How to be a contemporary artist?", "Why is my art not interesting to you?" We decided to summarize our thoughts and advices in this article.

Our task as gallery owners is to find and present art personalities with relevant and expressive art language to the audience. No one will visit the gallery, which demonstrates the artists "twins" every season. Nobody just will be interested in it. However, it was not easy to be guided by this habitual for us principle at the contest. We saw that the majority of students, obviously, are not set to search for something unique, new – from the chosen themes to their art solution. And, this raised the main question – do these young people imagine their independent creative life after graduation, and do these ideas coincide with reality?

So, a few points that, in our opinion, will bring to success:

1. Try to demonstrate your own unique approach

Firstly, we would like that young authors don’t take such contests as a semester in the academy of arts – there are almost the same subjects: "Portraits. Houses. Flowers. Genre scenes that were relevant one hundred years ago", and the technique of the participants’ performing is not so different. To see the individuality of the artist behind these carefully executed tasks is not easy.

As, innovative ideas, originality, a fresh look even on the trite things distinguish true art works. Traditional still lifes and landscapes, the canons, which have not been changed for centuries, are, of course, beautiful, but still they are not enough. Contemporary artist always tries to go beyond the accepted standards and to find new means of expression.

 2. Understand and accept that craft is not creativity

It is clear that in art academy or institute (mostly in Ukraine) attention is paid to the craft part. On the one hand, school requirements to paint/ sculpt academically and perfectly are not bad at all – you can always fulfil orders that will bring you money to live. But, the question is that handicraft has nothing to do with creativity. You are taught to be a master, but you are not taught to think. Although, it should have been different. We should not criticize the quality and feasibility of education in our country, because everywhere you can take something useful for yourself. But, do not rely on it and stop there.

3. We advise you to think: How do you imagine your future career after graduation?

One could blame teachers, who, they say, pressurize and do not allow going beyond, for the fact that the students are not so keen on experimenting. But, we should reassure you: in a few years studying will be completed. And, perhaps, someone will feel a heady freedom, but very soon you will be surrounded by the existential emptiness – boundless possibilities of choice and feeling of confusion from this. Therefore, we advise you to prepare in advance, if you have not done this already.

4. Work on mind-broadening

In our opinion, it is not the technique of performing that is important for a contemporary artist, but, first of all, the world outlook. Therefore, we would advise young people to pay attention not only to mastery, but to their own outlook. You should to be interested, read, explore, watch films, travel, and observe.

The image of the artist, as a self-aware refined aesthete in chequered scarf, is already, to put it mildly, not relevant. At all times there are individuals who seek inspiration from inside, not from outside, but there are a number of them, and basically they are geniuses or marginals who are left behind, or both at the same time. But, the majority of authors are still connected with society. And, becoming an interesting contemporary artist is possible when you are able to anticipate global changes in the world. When you are aware of current events and you can find your own language to express your unique idea. Contemporary art raises sharp social issues, it argues, protests. This is a way of reflecting for the society, a mirror in which our civilization is looking.

5. Self-education. You have to be an open-minded person

We have already spoken of the world view and self-development, let’s go further: what do you need for this? Ability to learn and perceive something new. But, how banal it can sound, school is one thing, and talent for learning something is completely different. You graduate from college, academy or institute once or several times in life, but you keep on learning every day. From our own experience, we can say that visiting museums, galleries, weeks of art and biennale is an indispensable and important part of the development. And, while there is no opportunity to go watching – you should search for information on the Internet, read analytical articles, and what at first seems incomprehensible and unacceptable, will acquire meaning.

6. You should understand that the main instrument of the artist has been not his hands, but his mind for some time

In order to ensure that in the future your works do not turn into the elements of interior decoration, you must think.

7. Be critical to yourself

Imagine that for the development of the first year of study you imitate classics, for example, copy the still lifes of Chardin, and on the third year – you imitate Van Gogh, and on the fifth - Egon Shile,  and this is normal. But, if you decide to stop at one of the stages for all your life, you are unlikely to become a relevant and interesting artist. Hence, we must ask ourselves from time to time: am I moving forward? And, if not, correct the situation quickly.

The fact that a person needs to go smoothly all the stages of development, there is nothing terrible. Think about it.

8. To be able to justify why I am doing this now

And, to be able to explain, present your thoughts and works.

9. To be sincere

First of all, with yourself, because experienced viewers will see and feel everything. Everything that is contrived and artificial will certainly expose itself. If you now read these tips and decide to do something you are not inherent in, and there will not be any fundamental search behind it, it will look like the desire to be distinguished. Viewers and professionals will certainly see it!