Art Questions
I began a post in reply to several posts I've read lately from quilters, art quilters, fiber artists, and surface textiles designers. All directly or indirectly on the theme of "Art", many asking why fiber art isn't considered "Art."
I realized that my response could fill a book, and decided to write one.
Quick response:
Art is a commodity. Just like the banks and the governments set the mortgage rates, brokers, dealers, collectors and galleries set the definition of what is and is not "Art." The businesses may be equally slimy.
If you make a living off your textile/fiber work, rejoice. You are doing as well and better than the majority of living artists throughout the world.
Why have we allowed the word craft to be co-opted?
Why trade a world of friendship, camaraderie, sharing, exchanging, craft, skill, tradition for one that doesn't value your work or your being?
Why are we spending time on these questions instead of perfecting our craft?
The quilting world is the largest woman based success story I know of. I would rather see women working on owning and controlling fabric manufacture, engineering and owning tools and machinery, starting publishing companies than attempting to enter the male and upper class dominated world of art. I'm tired of getting beat up and rejected based on my class, sex and race (now age can be added to the list). Quilting women and fiber artists do for self and I like it.
I'll let you know when the book is finished.
I realized that my response could fill a book, and decided to write one.
Quick response:
Art is a commodity. Just like the banks and the governments set the mortgage rates, brokers, dealers, collectors and galleries set the definition of what is and is not "Art." The businesses may be equally slimy.
If you make a living off your textile/fiber work, rejoice. You are doing as well and better than the majority of living artists throughout the world.
Why have we allowed the word craft to be co-opted?
Why trade a world of friendship, camaraderie, sharing, exchanging, craft, skill, tradition for one that doesn't value your work or your being?
Why are we spending time on these questions instead of perfecting our craft?
The quilting world is the largest woman based success story I know of. I would rather see women working on owning and controlling fabric manufacture, engineering and owning tools and machinery, starting publishing companies than attempting to enter the male and upper class dominated world of art. I'm tired of getting beat up and rejected based on my class, sex and race (now age can be added to the list). Quilting women and fiber artists do for self and I like it.
I'll let you know when the book is finished.
Can't wait to read it. :D
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