This World

I am, currently, feeling somewhat pessimistic about my place in this world. This world being the "Art World".

I feel I am constantly struggling to produce decent work, for a lack of real return. Sure I have fans. But, sorry guys, verbal support doesn't help develop a career, nor ensure it continues.

And sure, I make sales, which is great, but I'm still waiting for a show to break even.

And then I see things like this:

Celebrity Art Auction

The James Wallace Arts Trust in partnership with the Morrinsville Art Gallery Charitable Trust strongly supports the establishment of the Morrinsville Art Gallery. The Gallery will have the unique advantage of having permanent curated revolving exhibitions from The Wallace Collection which is widely recognised as being one of the most important collections of contemporary New Zealand Art. It will also have galleries and spaces for community exhibitions and activities.

Please find the attached flyer for a Celebrity Art Auction fundraiser to aid this very worthy cause.

So here we have a celebrity art auction being held to raise funds for a public art gallery. A public art gallery with unique access to one of the most prestigious private art collections in the country. And they're asking "celebrities" to produce "art" so they can raise some money to help establish/run the gallery.

And who are these celebrities? Cath Tizard. Wilson Whineray. Jason Gunn. Danyon Loader. Joe Karam. Annah Stretton. Amongst others. All exceptional artists as you'll no doubt agree.

As far as I can tell, the only one with any proven artistic talent is Rosemary McLeod.

So this question really has to be asked.

Do the Morrinsville Art Gallery Charitable Trust really not see the irony of auctioning 'art' by non artists to raise funds for what they hope will be a reputable art gallery?

Do they not think that their actions are in fact devaluing 'Art'?

Isn't this counter to the aims of both The Wallace Collection and The Wallace Award?

Why couldn't they, for example, have approached past winners of the Wallace Award - you know, well known, respected, and talented artists - and asked them to gift a work for the auction. I'm sure most would have been happy to oblige. I'm equally sure the quality of art would be substantially higher. And I'm sure the money raised would be greater.

I guess there could be an argument (a very weak argument) along the lines that people are really buying the art because they believe in, and wish to support, the cause. But why not give those people something decent for their effort instead of the worthless c#ap they're likely to be getting?!

But whatever. Every one knows art has no real value. Every one knows a Danyon Loader original is worth the same as a Bill Hammond. And it's only a bunch of elitist leftie art snobs who say any different. So who the f#ck cares!!!

Rant over.

For now.