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Home » Archives » October 2005 » Under 30

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10/12/2005: "Under 30" by Michael Corbin


Is it me, or is the art-media almost obsessed with artists who are 30 and
under?

Every few months, the magazines will have headlines that say, "The Hottest
Artists Under 30," or
"30 New Discoveries Under 30."

Does something happen to artists when they hit, God forbid, 31? Do they
lose all muscle mass and are no longer able to hold a paintbrush? You would
certainly think so. I know that when you're in your twenties, you're new
and fresh and highly marketable. The typical artist in this age range isn't
as established and therefore not as expensive as more seasoned
professionals.


Still, I'm no artist, but one thing I know for sure. I didn't really even
get a brain until I was in my thirties, let alone 30! Let's face it. Your
twenties are serious screw-up time. You're finally out of the house, no
longer under parental control and you're basically running free. These
years are for experimentation. Testing the waters and falling down! And
getting up. That's fine. We've all been there. Hopefully though, things
are coming together in your thirties. That has to be the case for artists
who've started early in life.

I have some paintings by artists who are in their fifties and beyond. Take
a similar type work from an artist in their twenties, put them side by side
and there is just no comparison. The older artist's work is more mature,
the technique is more pronounced. At the risk of sounding like an art snob,
it's just better. Now of course, talent is talent no matter what the age,
but given time, talent can only grow. Not in all cases, but in many.

It's sad to see how our society's obsession with youth has permeated even
the artworld. For the most part, you don't even know the age of an artist
just by looking at their work. At the very least, you need some comparison.
Of course, the older you get, the more you tend to promote the benefits of
aging!

Still, I would love to see articles on artists who are sixty and beyond.
I'm nowhere near that age, but I salute artists who are. It's almost as if
they're invisible. Sad, because if they're talented, their bodies work must
be phenomenal. We're overlooking a vast crowd of talent.

With luck, all of us will make it well OVER 30. And hopefully, we'll grow
wiser and more talented and perhaps even more VISIBLE in the process.

MICHAEL CORBIN IS A WRITER AND AVID ART COLLECTOR

Replies: 19 Comments

on Monday, October 24th, Mary Baker said

Unfortunately, I think a lot of artists give up after 30. By that point artists realize that art is a vocation and requires a different perspective if they are going to keep going.

If an artist is in it for the money or fame, most artists give up up by 30.

This is a subject I've given a lot of thought to and address on my website, Mary Baker Art,http://www.marybakerart.com and on my art blog, http://www.marybakerart/blog, Mary Baker art--Blog.

Thanks, Mary Baker

on Tuesday, October 18th, Hyacinthe Baron said

Does age matter when it comes to making art? Hasn't history proven that artists out of all beings retain the childlike qualities of wonder and awe with the added ingredient of the ability to observe and to make creative expressions?

Youth is extolled more than ever in this age because it has no respect. Timothy Leary said what has been is old, we are changing for the first time since recorded history, our minds and our bodies are being altered so we can leave this earth to live in space.

He used alternative mediums to arrive at his balancing act. Yet a certain profundity remains, that what has gone before is redundant as we age unless we maintain the ability to look forward.

There fore it is the artist's responsibility to change, to do new things and to use expertise learned and gained to write a new paradigm for every new form of expression.

on Tuesday, October 18th, Rob said

Great post. Of course one only ripens with age. At least that's what I tell myself.

on Monday, October 17th, wendy jean hyde said

hi, i'm 40.5 years old. after graduating in 1989, i packed up much of my art (most of it was work in progress) and spent my time helping my ex with his career and enjoying my children. now that i have the time i've unpacked my work and it's like catching up with old friends, time does not stand between us. i have to say i am back on track and i have the same desire and ambition that i had in my 20's, only now i also have appreciation of time, life and experience. i would be grateful for recommendations on good books of the artist jean dubuffet. i believe he began his painting career at age 41? i was fortunate to have seen his show at the jeu de paume in paris years ago (in my 20's) now i am ready to read about him.

on Sunday, October 16th, zolita sverdlove said

I just wrote an article for an arts group on this very subject: why is there such a thrust to promote kids out of art school? Some of the best artists historically did their best work at the end of their life:Titian,Rembrandt,Cezanne .Hokusiai said he did not do anything good till he was 75.
The answer to the promotion of students is that: 1) there are too many art schools and 2) that artists become disposal and interchangeable if a gallery wants to try still a new one on the scene if they use immature artists.

on Friday, October 14th, Barney Davey said

Granted, we are in a youth-obsessed age. Witness the plethora of anti-aging products being marketed to an increasingly graying boomer market. Jodi Foster recently humorously remarked that in a few years she will be the only actress her age able to play her age given that her contemporaries are all Botoxed to the max. So, society and magazine editors give homage to youth and youthful appearance...because, well, it sells.

Beyond beauty, vanity and the reverse ageism aspect of Michael's comments, there are some compelling reasons why we celebrate youthful triumphs. That's because inspiration comes when it comes.

The recent Martin Scorsese produced PBS American Masters program, "Bob Dylan: No Direction Home" poignantly illustrated that Dylan's most fertile years were in his 20's. Albert Einstein was all of 26 in 1905 when he published the most profound seminal scientific papers of the 20th Century.

Were we to wait on further development beyond their 30's to celebrate even better work from these two 20th Century icons, we would have been sorely disappointed.

on Friday, October 14th, naturecrave@yahoo.com">Tammy Williams said

I'm 36 and I can honestly say the last 20 years of my artwork has changed from one media to the next, from one theme to another to no theme at all, just a world of self expression. The older I get, the more focused I am and continue to strive for that one painting that reflects me as a whole. The problem with that is I keep changing. "Under 30" No such thing. An artists work comes from the life they have lived, the experiences they have shared, the people met along the fork in the road and the chosen paths currently living with dreams and aspirations.
I look back at my drawings and paintings from highschool through college. My work was very much influenced by the education of it. I now see my paintings reflecting myself, my feelings, independently. It's all about self expression and not too many kids have that at 20-25 y.o.

on Friday, October 14th, jose said

in a response to a previous blog someone mentioned the path. there’s nothing wrong with artists being highly productive and noticed at a tender age. that young artists should be given chances is to be applauded. I’ve come across some young guys doing mind-boggling stuff. the trouble sometimes lies in the fact that those giving the chances [galleries, agents, curators, whatever, whoever] tend to not be in tune with the creative people – the ones who provide them with the goods – and have a tendency to smother them: ‘I love that series you did can’t you do more of those? gee I want more of those! why aren’t you producing more of those. if you want to make it big you have to bring me more of those!’ and the pressure mounts. this is where age can come in handy. a young artist might feel this pressure more than someone who’s been at it a bit longer and give in to the system, producing works that have less and less of him because he’ll have been seduced by the glitter. it’s keeping on the path that is the tricky bit and experience and age definitely help there.

on Friday, October 14th, Michael Fornadley said

With the possibility of being accused on being a "old fart" but no 20 something has the ability to match an artist in their 40's, 50's or 60's with the same training or talent. Art in any form is done better by people who known what they are doing, it requires alot of work to improve and that only comes with time. Artists in their 20's are usually still trying to draw with crayons, sometimes you will get a Picasso or a Durer in the mix but it is not a norm. The artists represented are probadly copying a established commercial style or their previous teachers, really does not require a learned ability to paint by numbers, but sure can fool the public. Been blessed enought to have sketch books from by student days when I was 20 something and to compare them with my skills now at 50 is stupid, no contest.

on Thursday, October 13th, Doug said

Thanks Michael
Making art should have nothing to do with age, gender ,ethnicity, height weight ,looks,education, financial background etc.It is about creating something that has a personal truth for onself. If it does,and the artist has the skill, it usually resonates with others on some level.
I often wonder how many would react if all the information was taken off museum walls and we were left with our pure and honest reaction? Most people would not know what they think. And thats not a bad starting place. If art could thoroughly be explained thru text, it should be written rather than made. We respond to universal truths and authenticity. Most of it is a mystery as life itself. I welcome you to view my paintings of burn survivors at

on Thursday, October 13th, F Henzie said

http://www.art24seven.eu.com/local/artists/det/SHAW,_Susan,_UK.html and
http://www.art24seven.eu.com/local/artists/det/LENTACKER,_Albert.html

If you have a peek at these links you will see that art24seven as no boundaries when it comes to age - no limits or restrictions. Art24Seven is new and we have a long way to go, but first and foremost we look at the artwork then we look more into the person behind the painting, sculpture or original craft. If you produce quality then we would love to hear from you no matter what your age. As a nearly 40, (oh my God!)4 year old, I too have found many obstacles in my way on the road to achieving my goals .... If you are an emerging, professional or famous artist register with us and submit your work. The first 5 accepted works are free and if you like what we are doing the introductory rate until our database of artists reaches 300 is a one off fee of 50UK pounds. We are updating the site all the time. I wont apologise if this sounds like an ad or a plug because we are really here to help you! Get in touch if you think we can help and if you are 28, 58, 68 or 108 all the better. Cheers!
www.art24seven.eu.com

on Thursday, October 13th, Hyacinthe Baron said

I dreamt last night that I woke up this morning and I had turned into Grandma Moses.

Imagine what it would be like to be that innocent again and at the same time that old!

What to do with all the knowledge gained and the expertise before senility creeps in like Matisse' cutouts or alzheimers like De Kooning?

It is so true that the artist takes time for what it is, pure energy and matter and transforms it into something tangible. It doesn't matter how old the artist is in years, once begun, the work will never stop and if the artist is lucky, the intent will linger long, long after the artist is gone somewhere else.

on Thursday, October 13th, gabriella said

Andrew; The vampire analogy is great! Coming from Transylvanian Hungarian stock and rapidly becoming older, I can really relate. I have the good fortune to number among my acquaintances and friends some young artists and writers whose freshness of viewpoint really revitalizes me. Recently i have bought a hot-off-the-press publication of poetry by a young poetess. Her work is full of the raw perception and passion of the newly minted artist. At the same time am buying a print by a 70 year old printmaker which amazes with its sonorousness and depth. Each age and stage has something marvellous in which to revel and which to value. The whole range of experience and output should be celebrated!

on Thursday, October 13th, paul said

Michael,I suppose the promo for young artists is because companies or galleries want to try to get something going,to start something,its a sales pitch really,still its good if one is the artist being promoed,its just that art isnt really like that,although sometimes I do wonder if I am getting better with age,when I look back over my work,I sometimes feel the opposite,but then it tends to go in periods of work,some good years some bad years,Im reminded of an old japanese artist back in the 16th century,who remarked at age 99 I will be able to paint a blade of grass,its probably for the most part only after one is 50 that the real work begins,one good thing I feel about the aging population everyone keeps talking about,and thats a return of old culture,which will suit me just fine as I will be old then,Im old enough now to remember just before youth culture came in,and got going,when much older people were in charge of everything also whats good about being an older artist is that one is still so occupied,when others are retiring,to an often empty life of enforced leisure.

on Thursday, October 13th, Andrew said

Athena emerged fully dressed in war gear from the forehead of Zeus, in a Greek legend, Ed. The duality you speak of is a very, very important truth that is easily overlooked when mediocre people posing as experts try to define what makes art and artists.
Young artists usually makes less compromises than older ones do, because they have nothing to lose. Their skills may not be developed, but they jump off when older people usually are left behind peering over the edge to see what they might fall into. They take on projects they can't possibly complete, and do so without having considered all the stuff they'll need. For me, having someone like that as an apprentice by my side is stimulating and rewarding. I enjoy being reminded of that part of me, and I feel it awaken when such people are around. The roadblocks young artists run into because of their impetuousness can be overcome if I am there, because experience has loaded my bag of tricks. When my own projects require all nighters, or superhuman effort, these are the only people who will work that hard for unpredictable results. Youth achieves through partnership with older people, and older people renew their youthful energy by taking such partners on. It's a bit like being a vampire, it's amazing what a little fresh blood will do for you!

on Wednesday, October 12th, ;kjugoihiojljk;pk said

Hey Walt, could you loosen up a bit? Get a little crazy or nutso with your words maybe? Possibly be a bit creative in your writing?
I'm asleep half way through everything you write!
Come on, I dare you! Say something that's not from the teacher lecturn/pulpit book of politically correct monotone goulash!

on Wednesday, October 12th, walt said

I'm far better at 53 than I was at 23 or even 33. Interesting thing is that not all the hot young artists under 30 out last their first flush of glory. Often they've fallen onto something quite by accident and are never able to take it any further. One hit wonders they call them in the music industry. It is interesting to note that it takes between 7 to 8 years after highschool to get through a BFA and an MFA. Consequently to be under 30 means to be be between 1 to 5 years out of grad school. So few whether educated in the arts or not actually make a mark at that age. Truth is most are much older before they have anything of relevance to say. Sorry to disagree Ed but I think art rarely leaps full blown from the head of Zeus but rather like an acorn slowly grows into a mature old age bearing her fruits along the way.

on Wednesday, October 12th, Ed Baron said

Art arrives full blown as Venus emerged from the forehead of Zeus to inspire Botticelli.

Art thrives on diversity, nay duality.

Youth as in Mozart, age as in Picasso, Casals, Matisse.

The media is obsessed with youth.

Youth can afford to compromise. Time is on their side.

Age relishes the fruits of labors, takes time to devour the deeds, to develop the tangible results, to ask the price, to demand the price and to get it.

Is one better than the other?

Do artists age like fine wine? Does their art improve with age?

Or is maturity the gift of being able to enjoy what has been created and to reverse time by daring to create even grander works?

It is all in one's perspective isn't it?

on Wednesday, October 12th, S. Plath said

The pendulum swings as the pendulum does.
Fads.
Fashion.
Styles.
Movements.
Political climate.
They all change.
Back and forth, back and forth.
Some day the old fogeys work will be all you see.
Enjoy the ride!