Working as an (assistant) curator of contemporary art for the last few years and therefore dealing with many different kinds of artists, I started concerning myself with their attitude and what does it mean for the exhibition. Recently I did a show that raised a series of questions, which are the starting point of this research.
In my research, I want to be dealing with questions of where do self-taught/amateur artists come into the art world. Is there an exact point you can determine when an amateur advances to a professional? Does lacking formal training change the interpretation of the artwork on display? Is having an academic background even important? Can you learn a set of skills you need to be a successful artist, without going to art school? Moreover, how is your art validated? When does the stigma disappear? And when do curators come into that equation?
Bibliography:
Jesih, N. (2016) Inhale/Exhale, Alga Gallery, Izola. Available at: http://studioperkofol.com/antonio-per-razstava-vdih-izdih/ (Accessed 16 December 2016).
Roelstraete, D. (2011) ‘We, the subjects of art’, The Exhibitionist, 4, pp. 13-16.
Sholette, G. (2005) ‘Heart of darkness: A Journey into the Dark Matter of the Art World’, in Hall, J., Stimson, B. and Tamiris Becker, L. (eds.) Visual Worlds. New York and London: Routledge, pp. 91-104.
Wali, A. (2002) Informal arts: finding cohesion, capacity and other cultural benefits in unexpected places. Available at: http://www.americansforthearts.org/sites/default/files/Informal_Arts_Full_Report.pdf (Accessed: 4 December 2016).
Wallis, C. (2011) Arts policy library: informal arts. Available at: http://createquity.com/2011/07/arts-policy-library-informal-arts/ (Accessed: 4 December 2016).
LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS:
1. featured image: personal archive
Research adventureS of a curator 