I was searching the internet looking for a little inspiration for a project I'm wanting to start. I'm going to make a turning and was just seeing some other artists work to get my design juices flowing. I have to say, there's a lot of turnings that are amazing, and I think I was overwhelmed. Needless to say my brain didn't spit out anything as it normally would.
The problem with the loss of inspiration started when I started looking at gallery pieces. I found some very elaborate carved turnings and some very simple hollow forms. Granted I'm not super skilled so even the simple ones are a challenge to me. My problem started when I found pricing. A simple spalted maple vessel was being sold for $6,000. I recognize the makers name, and I'm sure the price comes with recognition. His work isn't art to me, but rather a skilled turning. On the other side of the spectrum I saw a piece for $35,000, and a lot of pieces running between 15-20k. These are for turnings that are the size of a vase and some are just out of walnut. The actual work is stunning though, some elaborately carved. But some still just seemed like skilled work.
The prices changed my mindset from wanting to turn to wanting to be an artist. I personally think that I'm just a woodworker, and I get lucky with some of my work when it comes out good. So lets get to the questions.
What makes one artists piece so much more then anothers with the same skill? I mean, if I turn a vessel out of spalted maple and it turns out flawless, I can guarentee you that nobody would pay $5,000. So why would they for someone elses? What makes that piece any better?
If by chance I decided that I could be an artist, what would be the best way to gain recognition and be able to sell at those prices?
How do you convince a gallery to take your pieces if you are a new artist?
What even makes you an artist, and not just a talented worker? In my mind I think that anyone can turn a nice vessel or make a great piece with time and dedication. Does that make them an artist when they have gained the necessary experience? Or just a skilled craftsman?
I don't see how a simple form, one that is not that unique, can be priced so high, and yet someone can make a piece that takes different types of skill, is very unique, etc, but that seems to be worthless. I would think that if I chose an artist, I saw his work, and I was able to make a piece as nice, then my piece should be worth as much as his. I'm not saying copy his. I'm saying use his as inspiration to make a unique piece that is as flawless, same skill level, same technique, etc should be worth as much as the artists, because it is art. Correct? Or is it just woodwork because the maker hasn't written a book, won awards, been in galleries, etc?
Any thoughts on the matter? What seperates a craftsman from an artist? What keeps the values so different? What should a struggling artist do to become a high priced artist?
The problem with the loss of inspiration started when I started looking at gallery pieces. I found some very elaborate carved turnings and some very simple hollow forms. Granted I'm not super skilled so even the simple ones are a challenge to me. My problem started when I found pricing. A simple spalted maple vessel was being sold for $6,000. I recognize the makers name, and I'm sure the price comes with recognition. His work isn't art to me, but rather a skilled turning. On the other side of the spectrum I saw a piece for $35,000, and a lot of pieces running between 15-20k. These are for turnings that are the size of a vase and some are just out of walnut. The actual work is stunning though, some elaborately carved. But some still just seemed like skilled work.
The prices changed my mindset from wanting to turn to wanting to be an artist. I personally think that I'm just a woodworker, and I get lucky with some of my work when it comes out good. So lets get to the questions.
What makes one artists piece so much more then anothers with the same skill? I mean, if I turn a vessel out of spalted maple and it turns out flawless, I can guarentee you that nobody would pay $5,000. So why would they for someone elses? What makes that piece any better?
If by chance I decided that I could be an artist, what would be the best way to gain recognition and be able to sell at those prices?
How do you convince a gallery to take your pieces if you are a new artist?
What even makes you an artist, and not just a talented worker? In my mind I think that anyone can turn a nice vessel or make a great piece with time and dedication. Does that make them an artist when they have gained the necessary experience? Or just a skilled craftsman?
I don't see how a simple form, one that is not that unique, can be priced so high, and yet someone can make a piece that takes different types of skill, is very unique, etc, but that seems to be worthless. I would think that if I chose an artist, I saw his work, and I was able to make a piece as nice, then my piece should be worth as much as his. I'm not saying copy his. I'm saying use his as inspiration to make a unique piece that is as flawless, same skill level, same technique, etc should be worth as much as the artists, because it is art. Correct? Or is it just woodwork because the maker hasn't written a book, won awards, been in galleries, etc?
Any thoughts on the matter? What seperates a craftsman from an artist? What keeps the values so different? What should a struggling artist do to become a high priced artist?