Hello friends,
Since the launch of my website, I’ve been busy with my entry to the Ellenbrook Art Awards, working on a couple of commissions, painting (of course!), and doing some soul searching about my direction as an artist.
Entering something like the Art Awards for the first time was a daunting but interesting experience.
I was thrilled to be accepted as a finalist with my oil painting “All Saints’ in August”, but at the end of it all I found myself asking whether art awards are worth entering, as it can be an expensive undertaking. The answer is probably as subjective as opinions on what makes pleasing art and thus also depends on who you ask.
When an artist produces a piece of work, they are using their skills and unique style to convey their vision, thoughts and emotions in their own way. When they put that work out for the world to see, there will naturally, be those who like what was created and also naturally, there will be those who don’t. This latter group may include the judges of an art contest. If the artwork is not selected for a prize, does that mean the art is bad?
Subjectivity in the judgement of art is a controversial topic as it questions who or what determines an artwork’s value. Does a judge use the objective criteria of technical skills such as composition, design principles, tonality, or use and understanding of the tools or medium of choice? Or does personal taste, formed by inner beliefs, cultural influences, desires and perceptions, play a part in a judge’s or panel’s decision about which piece of art is better?
The debate is a complex one and could be a whole blog article in itself! But I’m assuming it’s a combination of both, and other factors as well, as how do you separate an abstract work from an impressionistic piece or a realistic piece, or a portrait from a landscape or still life? In the recent awards I entered, one of the prize categories included all media and the winning work was a photograph. Can choosing a photograph over paintings or sculptures that have taking countless hours to produce, be an objective exercise?
So is it worth it to enter?
Comparing your work to that of others may take all the creativity and joy out of the process. And some artists believe that art contests do damage one’s confidence, because after all, what does it mean if your work doesn’t win a prize or doesn’t even get chosen to be in the competition? Imagine how discouraging it would be to spend many hours on a piece, to pay your entry fees, to pay for framing and perhaps even transportation or postage costs, and to then not have your work accepted to be shown at all.
Does winning an art contest really validate a person’s talent as an artist? Whether it does or not, it can certainly provide a brief moment in the sun and a very helpful financial boost! And “losing” – that is, not being that one out of the hundreds of entries that wins a prize – may lead to an increased motivation to work harder or to make a new approach to one’s work.
Just entering competitions can provide new opportunities, raise an artist’s profile, motivate them to keep working, put them in touch with other artists and even provide them with some free marketing.
My own submitted work was televised, along with the work of the other finalists, at the local shopping centre.
Deciding whether it’s worth it to enter may also depend on what an artist hopes to achieve by entering a competition. Some artists find that they enjoy the competition and that it spurs them on to produce more adventurous work. Whereas others like that the opportunity to have their work exhibited helps them to gain some insight into what sells or is sought by collectors and galleries. Others still, enjoy the accolades and feel that winning an award provides them with recognition by the establishment and the perception of being an “artist” by society. It may also make them known to local collectors and the art community, and perhaps having a few awards under their belt will give a prospective buyer confidence that they are making a wise choice with a purchase of an artwork.
When a friend suggested I enter my local Art Awards I decided I’d like to have the experience of doing something like this. I hoped it might put my name and my work out there, perhaps raise my profile, and maybe I’d even sell the piece I had produced (despite the huge commission the gallery charges). I didn’t sell it by the way, ha ha! But I really enjoyed the motivation that having a deadline gave me, and that I pushed myself to work larger and on a project I might not have undertaken otherwise. And to me, getting out and feeling part of my local art scene was important and satisfying and worth the effort.
That said, I haven’t yet decided whether I’ll do it again!
Until next time, stay safe and have a wonderful Christmas!
Love, Janine
