You Are An Artist (despite telling yourself different!)
What, or who, do you think of when you consider the term artist? A few years ago I was asked this question, my response today is very different to the one I gave back then.
Let me introduce myself; I am Doll and I make art. I am an artist.
It has taken many years to feel comfortable saying that, and the question I posed has a lot to do with how I see myself. When I pondered the question originally my view of an artist came tangled in layers of perception, judgement and self doubt - the term evoked sterile white gallery walls and ornate gold frames holding oil paintings.
These elaborate pieces signified art, and nothing less than perfection even came close - meaning I had no business calling myself an artist. In hindsight, I was holding myself to an impossible standard; but more than that, I completely missed the point of art.
These days have a wider understanding of art, creativity and my own voice in the art world and I use my meandering path to being an artist as a way to share with others who feel ‘unworthy’ or ‘locked out’ of the traditional art community.
The question that changed my trajectory came from a tutor on a short course called Exploring Collections, held by Outside In. Outside In is a charity providing a platform for artists who encounter significant barriers to the art world due to health, disability, social circumstance, or isolation. The free 10 week course I attended taught me more about art and myself than any of my formal education ever did - it also offered more opportunities.
Today I am the Campaign Coordinator for Outside In, have exhibited my work in a museum and feel heard in a way I never dreamed I would as an artist.
The only criteria to being an artist is to make art.
If you are someone who encounters significant barriers to the traditional art world, Outside In offers a range of support, training and opportunities plus digital gallery space - and it’s all free.
Outside In's mission is to create a fairer art world which rejects traditional values and institutional judgments about whose work can and should be displayed. This award-winning charity, shares opportunities for artists facing barriers to the art world due to health, disability, social circumstance or isolation.
To find out more, join an event, sign up or become a member and support other artists, please visit www.outsidein.org.uk or email me jo.doll@outsidein.org.uk