Yesterday I was advised that I had made the cut as a finalist in the regional art prize. As I am currently 3 weeks out from the launch of my 3rd solo exhibition and living in a bubble of excitement and anxiety, I took this news with an unusual sense of calm. Why unusual? Well, for starters, on average I would enter 8-10 competitions every year and have done so for the last 3 years. I spend approximately $500 p.a on entry costs alone. To date my work has been shortlisted twice and one of those I don't count as it was a bit of a 'turn up and you're in'. To top it off, if my work IS selected to show and happens to sell I will 'give' between 30-45% of the sale price to the organiser. If no sale, I am responsible for the collection (or freight) of my work home.
So why do artists continue to spend enormous amounts of time, money and energy seeking inclusion in competitions that more often than not leave them feeling rejected and somewhat poorer? VALIDATION. Selection tells me that I am OK. Think about it. Most artists work alone and the input they receive is usually from those closest to them. This input is highly valuable but can lack bias and that is where competitions and exhibitions come in. If my work sells - I am on the right path. If I am short-listed to competitions - I am on the right path. IF A STRANGER LIKES MY WORK - I MUST BE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT! Right? Well no. I learned a very long time ago (when working in the fashion industry) that even the fashion that I perceive as terrible sells to someone because everybody has different taste in, well, everything!
In my first year of Fine Art Studies, my very wise teacher asked us to make a list that we believed would be our individual benchmark for success as an artist. My own list was not shy with major competitions to win, solo exhibitions to achieve and $$ to make. But hearing some of my classmates far more down-to-earth expectations of themselves and their art practice brought me to the realisation that success is very much a matter of 'satisfaction'. If I am satisfied with selling one painting and contributing to one group show a year, and I achieve this, then I am successful!
Unfortunately for me (or should I say fortunately?) my goals are still set high and regardless of winning or not, being shortlisted to this years' Gosford Art Prize IS a win - I have won a few hours of VALIDATION, a prize we ALL need from time to time regardless of our career!
