Exhibitions and Critics
“I love criticism just so long as it’s unqualified praise.”
Noel Coward
When I started down the road of being an artist I had no idea that my companions would be “praise” and “criticism.” I am fortunate to have a current exhibition of my work at the Durango Art Center. http://www.durangoarts.org/ (until May 8th) Like myself, most artists work on one, or at most, a few pieces at a time, so to see a large amount of my work created over years exhibited at one time is unusual. Sitting in the gallery during a precious silence prior to the opening, my eyes moved rapidly from one image to another, accompanied by equal amounts of pride and astonishment. I was seeing the work, not as individual pieces, but each image in relation to the whole-with a new appreciation for the interconnectedness between works, some created years apart. This new insight came wholly from a change in context and caused me to better appreciate those who see my art for the first time, especially critics.
I had not been an artist long before I realized that criticism is a necessary evil. Rarely objective, but often enlightening, good criticism is important for both what is said about your work and for learning how to judge your own reactions. Like Noel Coward, I want everyone to understand my work completely and love it. But when being honest with myself, I mistrust the sycophant as much as the terminal cynic. What I value most is a fresh look by a disinterested but knowledgable viewer. With this exhibition I was most fortunate. I did not expect an art critic with a substantial knowledge of printmaking or in particular, the rarely exhibited mezzotint. I was most pleasantly surprised. I have included Jules Masterjohn’s critique published in the Durango Telegraph last week.
http://www.durangotelegraph.com/telegraph.php?inc=/08-04-17/arting.htm
I can’t decide if I am speaking more about my own lack of self-awareness or am really paying Ms. Masterjohn a compliment by saying that she taught me something about my own work, but indeed, that was the case. Now, about the likelihood I take her advice, that’s another matter.
Blessings
David