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05/23/2005: "The Exhibition is Over" by Nita Tiffaha Jawary

My exhibition is over and I'm delighted. Now I am free to paint. My latest interest has been the painting of water. I am relatively new to art - just trying my wings for the last three years and still learning to use the airways economically and smoothly. Why did I exhibit? Not to get known, but to dare myself. To create a new identity - ..the only way you become an artist is by declaring yourself to be one. A funny thing, the notion of 'artist'. What does it mean? It's as elusive as the meaning of art itself. The artist exists because he or she is acknowledged as such by the community. And how do they acknowledge you? By your exhibiting. Ay! There's the rub!


My brother has been painting for the same time period as I, and he paints beautiful work. But the difference between us is, he won't exhibit and he won't sell. He is no less an artist for it, but he is not known as an artist. To him, that's cool; so long as he paints, he's happy. I call him an artist, but others don't. They simply say, "he paints." He is known by his activityŠŠ.to make the activity his identity, he would need to share his art with the world. Then, suddenly, people will acknowledge him as an artist.

Is this only words? Maybe. But I think it points to an important aspect of art and artist. You may produce art in many ways, but you become an artist when you share it with the world. Then your place in the world is carved; then your own image is reflected in the eyes of others as 'artist'.

I remember when my first article was published in a local paper. The editor wrote beneath it: "Nita Jawary is a Melbourne writer." I was struck by seeing myself described as such. I was embarrassed. Had I earned such a title? Yet, I write, write and write - why be embarrassed to then call myself a writer? The title was earned when I went public.

So, back to my exhibition. It's the third I've had in the three years I've been making art. Do I want more? Not quickly, no. While I love to share my art, I enjoy the quiet of being able to make it; the luxury of not worrying about how it will be received. So for now, no longer in a hurry to be called artist.

The place is set, the footprint firmly imprinted in the ground. It's time to pick up my brush, forget about identities and the public eye. It's time to do what my brother has been doing continuously for the past three yearsŠ..It's time to paint.


Replies: 2 Comments

on Monday, May 23rd, elaniii said

Beginners speak from the excitement of discovery, something that weighty professionals can no longer do because of their experience. The joy of those first few steps walking, and the drudgery of walking someplace once you've been there, done that, to get something done. In my own work, I use young apprentices to try to retain the sense of discovery that permeates their work. There's none of the carefully applied veneer of professionality, the preoccupation with the 'right' lighting, the 'right' ambience, the 'right' gallery. The work is just as fresh as it gets. That said, Ausra, the Greeks used to call fine art 'kali technics' which translates to 'good technique'. If the meaning of the word 'art' has become fuzzy, it's not the fault of people trying to use language as it was meant to be used, ie., to understand one another. Could today's meanings have something to do with people profiting from ambiguity?

on Monday, May 23rd, Gary said

My art school taught us that we should not even attempt to sell any work for at least 5 years after we left art school. That time period was necessary to acheive our own voice and not just spit out what we learned from the teachers.

I'm not sure wether or not Ausra is self taught, but 3 exhibitions in the first 3 years of making art lends me to believe her work is dictated by the market and not her own voice.

Ausra, it will be interesting to hear what you have to say in 20 years if you are still making art. It is fun to read beginners comments. Best of luck to you!

Replies: 6 Comments

on Monday, May 30th, jose said

Hello Nita, I enjoyed this blog very much and I can see where you are aiming calling on your brother’s experience. My dad’s best friend was in a similar situation. His brother was an artist – and a damn good one at that – but he preferred to paint in the shadows. I remember how I was surprised to discover that this civil servant had been leading such a prolific ‘double-life’, and I remember also how baffled I was that he should have been the first to take my side when I announced that I would not be following in my father’s footsteps but wished instead to become an artist.

Was he less of an artist? I think not. The key word is community as Ann pointed out in her reply. Art gains significance if it becomes the mirror she mentions. Does it really matter if we only touch our family, our neighbourhood, our village? Does the message only acquire a meaning if it makes it to town [and which town might that be? Would Antananarivo do? Must it reach Barcelona, Berlin, New York – preferably within one year?]: One is left to ponder for whom, or why, the cave people of Lescaux left their markings.

Too fast, our world has shrunk and the information accessed expanded beyond the capabilities of what can be taken on and we have become obsessed with attaining visibility and making our voices heard on a planetary scale. We have been duped into believing that by reaching such a Mecca or crossing such a Rubicon we will have made it Big Time, and anything short of this is registered as failure by our peers. We have lost touch with our human dimension and this, for an artist, is the most dangerous predicament.

As the Italians say ‘piano, piano, va lontano’.

on Friday, May 27th, aktan selin said

hey Nita
I understood your feelings very well..Because I am in same situation...I have been painting for 2 years. I went to the 6 different countries for exhibitions just to understand where I am and what isa the big picture of art...But I am tired now, travelling from one country to others.Did I have get self confident?yes, sharing your feelings or your paintings were very nice..it gives more motivation..But when I was doing all that kind of things,I couldnt have time to paint..I decided slow down,and work.I dont want lose my inspiration when I was trying show my paintings... good luck

on Tuesday, May 24th, Michael Fornadley said

Guess most artists have thought of the reasons to why they are programed to continue to do art. Are we born to it or can anybody require the skills. Can only go by our own experiences with the road we are on,as far as the visual arts I am guessing that one half of the human race have the ability to draw with the skills of becoming a artist. Figuring about one percent of them continue with further education or continue on with the skill. Those who continue got a little positive feedback from others. Of the one percent, about seventy five percent quit after school (high school or college) and go on to other things of interest. The figures above are just conjecture, so please don't take them as fact.

Just looking at absolutearts web page, of all the artists currently showing how many have painting experience past 10 years, let alone 20 years.

Bring this point across to show the long road required to produce mature work. Many talented people have fallen to the wayside, the ones who continue are the people who got a continuing positive feedback or encouragement in some fashion or other. My belief system is that the ones who continue on with it and develop, have in place a stability of soul and spirit, much like a priesthood. Face it life is not easy and from past experiences when troubles do come up, it affects your art. Choices are then made whether to quit or continue. One of my personal solutions to continue to do art is to make choices as to what is important to me, and art is number 3 on the list on a very long list. In my opinion if an individual puts art number 1, they are in for a very disappointing future and what is the point for the claim of giving it all for art, chasing the wind.

on Monday, May 23rd, Paul said

Ann,well said,that certainley is the right explanation of an artists role in society,although different artists often have various experience,it may be that an artist is succesfull,and has never had to even think about his or her 'role'because they feel at one with the 'community'as has been said,because that community has taken the artist to its collective bosom,but then there is a danger there,in that often those artists who do well out of their art within the society,are just painting 'pretty pictures'that challenge no one,are not cutting edge,nor say anything about anything,apart from being pretty,and selling,still for many artists,thats enough,they may not want to see the bigger picture,nor care,but of course it is a matter of bare intelligence,to recognize what one is doing or not doing,and living with it,after all we cant all be cutting edge dangerous artists a challenge to society,and its my guess that 99% of all artist given the choice of making a living by painting pretty pictures,or railing against societies ills and traditions,and taking a contrary stance,would opt for the former choice,although I think in reality we do a bit of both,we want to sell our work,but we also want to be rebels,a contradiction in terms,but what can we do?

on Monday, May 23rd, Nita Tiffaha Jawary said

HI Folks,
Great to hear your responses.
Yes, Elanii, I agree that there's freshness in a new artist's work.
And yes, Ann, I agree that the artist exists despite community, but dare she/he call themselves artists? I know I didn't dare.
And Gary, I"m afraid you're wrong in saying that I paint to please a market. Alas, my problem is that I don't at all. I disagree with your teachers.......Exhibit, get a response to your work, and move on.
For my part, now I know I can do it; now I believe in myself more, I have more confidence and people know my name. Every exhibition will be different. And now that I have more confidence in my capacities, I am not in a hurry for the next one.
Thank you all for your comments...but...I don't know where the name Ausra came from????
My name is NITA!!
Thank you all for your thoughtful responses.
best
nita

on Monday, May 23rd, Ann Isik said

You wrote: The artist exists because he or she is acknowledged as such by the community.

In fact, the artist exists regardless of the community, in spite of the community and often against the tide of any community voice. The artist often needs to be at odds with the community. The artist holds up a mirror to the community so that it can see itself better. To be an artist, requires being at a distance from any community, the better to see it. The artist is the tuning fork of community. The artist brings insights and order and wisdom to community.
To have it the other way round is like the cart trying to lead the horse.