Read How Several Artists Answered that Question
A press release I received from Elijah Wheat Showroom, elijahwheatshowroom.com, a gallery located in Brooklyn, NY, caught my interest. In it they quoted artist Nina Simone, American singer, songwriter and pianist and civil rights activist: “It’s an artist’s duty to reflect the times in which we live.”
The gallery stated, “We strive to provide artistic content that stirs socio-political concepts and continues to support artists that are marginalized… EWS promises to listen harder, continue to practice, practice, practice anti-racism and persist on placing our programming (and bodies) on the frontlines to amplify BIPOC voices. So be it.”
So, I wondered, how do artists feel about the sentiments expressed by Nina Simone. Curious to know how other artists feel I posted a question on Facebook: “Dear Artist Friends, Do you believe it’s the artist’s responsibility to reflect the time in which we live? Why or why not?”
Here you will find a variety of some of the many thought-provoking replies I received from artist friends on Facebook.
Richard J. Hinger, whose art is shown above, stated, “Most definitely, a true artist reflects the the world and the turmoil caused by selflessness and greed. It was renowned art critic Derek Guthrie that told me that these are the most important artists around who deserve museum exposure for expressing the true scope of our world and its people.”
Clare Caldwell replied, “Yes I do. I believe more and more at this juncture in our human history that our art should be ABOUT something, not just about itself. We have an opportunity here that may not always exist. One of the artist’s roles I believe, is to elevate, stimulate, create discussion, challenge established beliefs, educate, and help transform the thinking of the viewer – in other words, be societal watchdogs, commenting on geo-political topics, humanitarian topics, the resurrection of the spiritual in our increasingly secular world, the list goes on! As journalistic censorship and manipulation of facts increases globally, art is becoming the last bastion for free speech and expression of personal truths on the planet.”
Carl Baird posted, “I don’t think that you can help it, you are of the time, no matter what your art is, you are a representative of the time period you create.. so in other words when they look back at you work through the different time periods… it is reflected there no matter what. But it is not a responsibility… it just is.”
Erin Karp wrote, “I am frankly tired of COVID images/artwork; I find them depressing. I make artwork that makes me feel zen, that makes me feel relaxed, alive, okay, during all of this chaos (& any chaos). I constantly seek calm within calamity. In this pandemic, I want art that makes me feel good in my soul, that makes my heart sing, that brings me tranquility. That’s the kind of work I make always & I think it’s always relevant because there is always chaos of one sort or another around us. Find a breath, a break, a moment; it’s vital. That’s what I want my photography to do; that’s what I think it does do. It brings me calm. I hope it brings you calm, too!”
Susan Eyer-Anderson pointed out, “The phrasing of that question, to me, is unpleasant and oppressive. A better word would be prerogative. The word ‘responsibility’ comes with a touch of social guilt or a subtle demand for something. For God’s sake, paint what you like, what your heart wants you to paint, not what society wants.”
Barbara Chapman answered, “One purpose for creative expression is to break boundaries, to explore and to reflect back to society what we are . That being said there is a responsibility belonging to artists to either visually, in words or in performance to convey to the public the truth of where we are as a society . The power of a single image is able to capture the attention of a wide audience and evoke self examination as well a more general dissection of the accepted norms. Art is essential to any wide spread, fundamental, social change.”
Valerie Patterson, whose painting “Women’s March” is shown above, creates powerful images that move beyond superficial aesthetic beauty, wake us up from our bouts of complacency and apathetic slumber, and ultimately transform us to become more aware and compassionate. She has stated, “We live in a society in which our emotions are often undervalued. Viewing and discussing difficult images, issues, or situations is sometimes considered burdensome to say the least, I believe that my work provides an opportunity to experience pieces of life vicariously, for contemplation and dialogue. It is a continuing search for a deeper understanding of the human condition, for truth and honesty, kindness and mercy, as well as malevolence. It is art to start the conversation…”
Donna Barati wrote, “I feel a sense of obligation to paint my feelings about political, social issues. Historically, art gives us portraits, landscapes, a glimpse into lives. Art can be a comfort, a solace, a healing. It can inspire, motivate, and activate. Though now, photography, video, murals, posters, are expressing our country’s views, abstract art can do that with emotional resonance, color, expressiveness. Art reflects society and can also create change that opens minds and hearts. Sometimes I wrestle with wanting to bring beauty into an ugly world, as Alma Thomas said during the Civil Rights Movement, sometimes I paint the emotions experienced through the injustice in the world, or the desire to preserve nature, or from grief, or the need for kindness.”
Helena Domenic posted, “I think every artist is different, and needs to listen to the call of their heart. Diversity is healthy, and that means there needs to be many different artists making many different kinds of art.”
Kiran Kiran wrote, “No, I don’t think so. It won’t be doing justice to surrealism or fantasy artists, would it. What do will call science fictions then? Do all of the reflect the time of creation? There are artists who paint futuristic landscapes etc.”
Ingrid Frégeau said this: “One can’t separate the human from the artist, the mind from the hand. An artist’s work will bare the message from its creator, consciously or not. An artist is not apart from his/her society, nor his/her historical time.”
Jane Hickey Caminos posted, “I do think it’s the role of artists to work toward change when possible. Not as a responsibility but as a choice as it arrives. Making the world a better, richer place through beautymaking is part of this, as is creating art to express emotion, a healing, or simply an opened window that may have been hidden or shut. Style does not matter as much as the power of message, be that spontaneously given or planned to arouse awareness.”
Melissa McCutcheon Milton wrote, “Since artistic expression is so utterly personal, I believe it’s the personal choice of each artist whether to visually express statements concerning current issues. A choice, rather than an obligation. Besides, if someone’s heart is not in it – if they do not truly feel inspired – will the artistic expression of a stance necessarily be the kind of well executed end result that its proponents would hope for?”
Puneeta Ranjan shared, “Yes of course it is the artist’s responsibility to reflect the time in which we live. Proof? Look at our civilisations and their history, we come to know so much about them only through their art and literature! Also art is a powerful medium and can be a guiding force in changing our views and guiding us in the right direction, so we do have a responsibility to express the happenings around us and influence people positively. Art is all about us, all that is happening to us in this collective and individual journeys on this earth.”
I disagree that the creation of art as a socio-political statement is a duty of artists. Over the long arc of art across the centuries, there have been artists and craftspeople employed by the state (or pharaoh, king or pope) who most certainly depicted current events. There are other artists who have been emotionally compelled to capture the events of their times — say, Picasso and his “Guernica.” But it’s been academia in the last 60-70 years that has changed the focus and theme of art, teaching thesis significance via a geo-political lens that, in the end, speaks to only one aspect of the human condition. No, I don’t think it is the “duty” of artists to “reflect the times in which we live.” Actually, our art will do that on its own, showing our significance, shallowness, or depth — even our desire to escape from the socio-political maelstrom around us. Perhaps it may show our desire to create something that the camera cannot. And that may be what we need.
Cynthia, thank you for your comment. I love what you wrote and I love your art!
Dear Renee,
I hope you are well.
Thank you for posting this thought provoking article. I believe that the artists must paint what is meaningful to them. There is no one size fits all form of art.
Many of the artists who responded to you come from America, which is in a state of turmoil. They feel that they have to do something to change the current situation there. However, art is not the only way to effect social change and people must be allowed to decide how and if they want to make a difference.
I am from another part of the world, and whenever I visit America, I am painfully aware of the number ways in which a human being can be pigeonholed and preached to. in that country.. The blanket statement by the artist is a perfect example of that attitude.
Having got that off my chest, I want to tell you how much I enjoy reading your tips for artists, and how helpful your articles were when it came to writing my biography.
With beat wishes,
Riki
Dear Riki, Thank you for your comment. I’m sorry you have only a bad impression of the U.S. I hope in future visits and in your reading about this country you will look for and learn about the many positive attributes this country possesses. Many extraordinary people who live here are good people, contributing their time and effort to make positive changes here and in the world at large. I invite you to visit my other website The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS to read about them. Here’s a link: World Changers Wishing you peace and good health.