St*rving Ar*ist
Now, you know I normally try to be nothing but positive in these letters.
But today, I have a bee in my bonnet and I need to get it out because it’s BUGGIN me.
I cannot tell you the sheer number of times in my life someone has called me a "starving artist." Every time I hear this phrase, it makes my blood boil a little. And I’ll tell you why.
Magnolia Warblers, new work in progress, 2023
When people say this phrase, I actually don’t think they’re trying to be mean or insulting. I think the opposite. I think the idea of an artist that suffers and sacrifices for their art - be it financial stability, mental health, social life or other - has become in our collective social consciousness, very romantic.
But here’s the thing: it actually perpetuates negative beliefs about artists that are hurtful and often simply not true.
Negative beliefs such as:
Artists are lazy and dysfunctional
Artists are destined to be poor (but that’s okay)
Artists are mentally and emotionally unwell
Artists don’t contribute anything of value to society
And the list goes on.
Exquisite Mirror, Galerie Aussenwelt, 2022
I cannot tell you how mad this makes me.
This is the kind of thinking that justifies asking us to work for free, offering substandard healthcare (well you chose not to get a real job with benefits so tough titties for you if you need a root canal), asking invasive questions about our income, et cetera.
It needs to stop. Why? Because all of these beliefs are absurd.
Giants (Giant Hogweed), 2022
Artists can be and often are:
Intelligent
Empathetic
Generous
Responsible
Professional
Effective at managing their time
Practiced at self-discipline
Practiced at paying attention to and expressing feelings
Great at helping others
Making a difference in people’s lives
Skilled entrepreneurs
Skilled communicators
Financially self-sufficient and secure
Contributing significantly to the local economy
Providing tangible value to countless people and industries
And the list goes on.
And even if they’re not doing these things, they are human beings. They don’t need to embody the above list to deserve love, respect and payment for their work.
I’m not saying ALL artists are ALL these things all the time. I’m saying being an artist or not has ZERO to do with these qualities. People in lots of other jobs struggle with social life, mental health and finances, and people with creative jobs sometimes do and sometimes don’t.
What is often framed as a romantic ideal is actually a toxic stereotype.
Giants (Giant Hogweed) woodblock on the printing press at Atelier Circulaire, 2022
I have often been told throughout my life that it’s impossible to make a living with what I’m doing (sometimes someone says this while handing me money for my work). That I will always be poor in dollars and rich in creativity (ew). That my work is not an “actual business” (someone tell that to the tax man, lol).
Now, I won’t tell you how to live your life. I can only let you know that this kind of thinking and interacting with artists is hurtful, and leads to unnecessary disrespect and suffering. You can decide what to do with that information.
Giants (Giant Hogweed) woodblock in progress, 2022
I took that phrase out of my vocabulary a long time ago. And every time I hear it, it stings a little.
Artists are building and decorating your houses, entertaining you, cooking your food, healing you, inspiring you.
Without us life would be pretty fucking beige.
Artists are not just important or essential - artists are absolutely necessary.
And lots of us are very well fed.
Thank you for coming to my TED talk.*
In the print shop, 2022
Giants (Giant Hogweed) woodblock in the wild, 2022
*not an actual TED talk
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being here.
A peek behind the curtain in silent stop-motion animation
PS. Wanted to let you know the video from my recent exhibition Exquisite Mirror is now online for your viewing pleasure - watch it here.