The Art Zoo
I spent last weekend in the Art Zoo. Alongside other artists I had a stand to sell my art. All summer I have been painting, framing, packing and wrapping cards and prints and getting myself ready to be ‘on view’. It struck me whilst selling that I might just be an endangered species. We artists may not exist in the future. Art events and galleries may not be there to house us and offer sanctuary.
I feel privileged to have had a mostly free education and to have had a family who supported my decision to go to art college. I feel privileged that being a child of the 70’s meant many opportunities to make, colour, sew, illustrate and write. I am grateful that I have ridden the wave of the upsurge of social media and built a connected audience.
Me on set up day - I looked more glamorous on the selling days ;)
At the event it struck me that the demographic of those buying were those who had been given the same cultural access that I have had. That those I was exhibiting with had been able to fulfil their artistic ambitions. But what next?
Will those entering adulthood now, have been guided by an education system that has given a low value to art, music and dance, be customers of the future? Will those who have less disposable income as the cost of living rises and access to housing continues to be more challenging, be able to afford art?
Those of us who make art, either professionally or for personal satisfaction, have a duty of care to build the artists of the future, to advocate for opportunities, to speak passionately about what art gives in society. Those of us who can, should share techniques, give sketchbooks and encourage others to fill them.
Artists need sponsorship, they need adopting (art needs adopting!) and supporting. Don’t let galleries and art events become zoos for a dying breed. Buy from independents, support galleries, visit art fairs. Show your friends, children and grandchildren why art matters. Why beauty brings joy, why making helps wellbeing and how the skills learned whilst growing art are applicable to growing new ideas, to problem solving and to inventing new solutions. Artists, writers, dreamers and thinkers should not be in a zoo. Let them be wild and free and brave advocates for courageous art making.
Much gratitude to Melbourne Festival for organising a wonderful annual event that allows artists access to beautiful spaces to sell art and a dedicated audience of art lovers. Long may this continue!
If you’d like to view my art, please visit helenhallows.com
Next time I will be publishing my monthly paid subscriber post. This month I will be in the studio sharing with you what I am creating and giving you some tasks to help you effectively use your sketchbook to stay curious and gather inspiration. See you on the 1st October!
So true - buying from artists and makers is an extension of indie economics. Buying, and giving, ‘just a card’ or a print or a small handmade gift: these gestures all add up and mean so much.
Your stand looks great!
Much as you, I was very lucky to be at school in the 1980s/90s where the arts were not only valued as part of the curriculum, but they were viewed as an integral and essential part of the life of the school. From what I see now, inevitably schools inhabit very different roles as what we might term exam factories. But I do think that in many areas of life, people are seeing simplicity, and that includes young people. I think that if we can embrace that, they will be equally discerning customers of the future. I think that so much centres around stories, our stories, their stories, how they intertwine, and how that might manifest in an appreciation of creativity.