ChinarTree asks ‘Senior Project’ at American University Dubai – When do you become an artist? - November 2008
Interested in the transition phase between student and artist ChinarTree asked the graduating class, ‘Senior Project’ at AUD, how they perceived these terms.
With their upcoming show, ‘The Rituals of Dinner’ at Ayaam Gallery, these students are officially embarking on their careers as young artists. With this in mind, we asked them about the various factors that contribute to the making of an artist.
The following are excerpts from our discussion.
Initially being labeled as an artist – the pressure and the fear
Mona Ayyash: “I like this transition stage, whilst you’re still a student you can make mistakes. Once you’re putting your work out there and calling yourself an artist, it’s very intimidating.”
Angelica Yassine: “Yes I agree. Whilst we’re students we’re still learning. The term ‘artist’ is so loaded. I don’t think any of us think of ourselves as artists yet. ”
Time, Confidence and Skill as factors
Mohammed Al Sudairy: “I don’t think you can call yourself an artist until you’re at least 40-45 years old. It takes a good 20 years until you’re confident as an artist and comfortable with your work.”
Angelica Yassine: “When your work has reached a certain level of professionalism is when you can be called an artist. The stage at which you look at your work and its looks great.”
Nadia Hamidi: “For me you’re an artist when you’re comfortable with your medium and you can use it to express exactly what you intend it to.”
External validation
Nadia Hamidi: “I feel it doesn’t depend on time so much as what your work looks like. When someone else is able to look at your work and can see that it’s well crafted and well thought out.”
Angelica Yassine: “It depends both on your perspective and the audience’s judgment.”
Hazem Mahdi: “I had one exhibition where a viewer saw my work and burst into tears. For me that’s the point at which you become an artist, being able to elicit that kind of reaction. For some that may take 20 years, for some it may come earlier, if they get lucky.”
Selling your first artwork
Mohammed Al Sudairy: “We’ve all been in exhibitions before where our work was for sale and some of us have already sold. When I sold my work it felt great.”
Arezoo Karoubi: “I‘ve also sold a work at a previous show and I don’t think that defines me as an artist. It should be about how strong your work is and not about the selling.”
Mona Ayyash: “I haven’t sold a work yet, but recently I’ve been eager to. I want to know that there’s one person out there that understands and appreciates what I’m doing. Selling is a form of validation.”
Following these preliminary thoughts, ChinarTree asks the audience to give us their views on the subject or comment on what the students have said. When do you become an artist? Join the debate!
The Rituals of Dinner, The American University in Dubai, Senior Project Exhibition is on at Ayyam Gallery, Al Quoz, Dubai, 1st-6th December 2008.
3 Responses to “ChinarTree asks ‘Senior Project’ at American University Dubai – When do you become an artist? - November 2008”
It’s a really vague, open-ended issue because can we say that anyone can ever stop being a student of art at all but that’s a separate issue I guess…I think you become an artist at the point when people that you consider to be artists appreciate your work or when you get your first fan asking for your autograph or perhaps even when another ’student’ asks your opinion or guidance maybe?
By goat man on Jan 3, 2009
I think you become an ‘artist’ when you no longer look at the world around you with ‘ordinary’ eyes. I look at everything with a view to using it in some way. Makes life interesting ! Everything can be inspirational.
You never cease to be a student - that’s what it’s all about - or should be. Art is about experimentation and exploration, and practise - how do you think it evolved to where it is today ? It is never a safe bet, and that’s what keeps me doing it every day.
Do what YOU want, not what you think is expected of you.
By Rusty on Jan 7, 2009
It’s nice to see that the next class of art graduates from Dubai are so grounded and realistic about making it as ‘artists’. It would be interesting to see if any of them is considering another career path in this uncertain world. What are ther trials of being recognised as an artist? Is it getting exhibited or fighting for gallery space? Or getting someone to actively market you? Is the artist of today required to have an MBA to make it? Discuss. : )
By Krishna T on Jan 11, 2009